PT Vale Indonesia Tbk will build the Polamaa Block nickel industrial area, in Polamaa District, Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi. After operating, it is predicted that the factory will be able to produce 120,000 tons of nickel per year. The Polamaa Block project is the result of a collaboration between PT Vale and a company from China, the Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Company, or more commonly known as Huayou. This block with an area of more than 20 thousand hectares will be divided into three parts, namely the mining area, the smelter or nickel processing plant, and the port or harbour. The Polamaa Block Gound Breaking ceremonial event was held in an area that would later become a mining area. In his remarks, the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said the High Pressure Acid Leaching (HPAL) factory would be the largest in production in the world. "The largest HPAL in the world is in Indonesia. And people can't make batteries without this HPAL. So this HPAL makes a very important ecosystem for us," said Luhut, in Polamaa Block, Kolaka, South Sulawesi, Sunday (27/11/2022).
Luhut also appreciated the collaboration between Vale and Huayou. Longstanding relationship with the Chairman of Huayou Zhejiang Cobalt, Chen. From that old story, he fully supports the collaboration that the two parties are doing. "Why did I agree to this project? Because I know this Chairman Chen. I went with him to Germany, negotiated with BMW, with VW. And he was being chased because he had good technology. So as soon as I heard he married Vale Indonesia, I say this is the right choice," he explained. Not only that, the company's performance can also be seen from the results of Vale's HPAL nickel processing factory in Morowali, Central Sulawesi. He sees that both production and technology have developed rapidly. For this reason, he believes this project will boost HPAL production, to the development of electric vehicles (EV) in Indonesia. "This project must go ahead, because this project builds an ecosystem. Not building a single project. We want to build an ecosystem for one lithium battery. Those that can later run to electric cars, can run anywhere," Luhut said.
Meanwhile, PT Vale CEO Febriany Eddy explained, this project is targeted to be able to produce 120,000 tons of nickel and 15,000 tons of cobalt per year. "This project has entered into the National Strategic Project. With an investment value of IDR 67.5 trillion. And it is the largest HPAL factory," said Febri in his remarks. Febri emphasized that his party will ensure that all operational activities under PT Vale are responsible investments and adhere to the principles of sustainability. Pt Vale uses HPAL technology provided by Huayou, which will gradually outsource several Indonesian workers. "Regarding the use of electricity, we also agreed to use electricity for factories and operations later using low-carbon energy options. For that, we don't use coal in the factories," he continued. Febri also emphasized that his party will continue to be a partner for local communities and ensure a balance of economic, ecological and social impacts. He also hopes that with the start of this development project it will be able to absorb up to 12,000 local workers from factories and mines. Nickel processing is carried out using High Pressure Acid Leaching or HPAL technology. The MHP product itself is known to be used as a battery component, which can be used for electric vehicles. The ground breaking or laying of the first stone was symbolically carried out by the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment of the Republic of Indonesia Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, CEO of Vale S.A. Eduardo Bartolomeo, CEO of PT Vale Indonesia Febriany Eddy, Chairman of Huayou Zhejiang Cobalt Chen, Governor of Southeast Sulawesi Ali Mazi, and Regent of Kolaka Ahmad Safei.
