The Nickel Factory Fire Burst In East Kalimantan Allegedly Due To The Slag Cooling Problem

SAMARINDA - PT Kalimantan Ferro Industry (KFI) confirmed the temporary cause of the explosion of a nickel smelter factory in Kutai Kartanegara Village, East Kalimantan on Thursday (16/5) afternoon, which resulted in two workers being injured.

"This incident occurred in the factory's nickel slag disposal area, where there was a loud explosion caused by traffic jams in the Slag cooling flow," said PT KFI's Owner Representative, M. Ardhi Soemargo in Samarinda, as reported by ANTARA, Friday, May 17.

According to him, the explosion occurred at around 18.40 WITA and lasted for several minutes.

The sparks from the nickel slag pool soared into the air, but workers at the location immediately took cooling action with a extinguishing device.

Two workers near the scene were directly affected by the explosion. One worker was injured, while the other was exposed to dust. Both have received treatment at the Sanga Sanga Health Center and their condition is stable.

"The nickel smelter plant has now returned to normal operation without any damage to the production system. Our internal team is still investigating to determine the exact cause of the incident," said Ardhi.

This event highlights the importance of workplace safety protocols, especially in potentially dangerous industries such as nickel processing.

PT KFI claims to be committed to strengthening safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

PT KFI, as one of the main players in the nickel industry in Kalimantan, still prioritizes the safety of workers and the environment.

The company strives to ensure its operations are not only efficient but also safe for all parties.

"Further information regarding the results of the investigation and improvement steps taken by PT KFI will be conveyed to the public in line with the development of the situation," said Ardhi.