Vale Finds New Partner For SOA HPAL Project In Sorowako

JAKARTA - PT Vale Indonesia Tbk (INCO) revealed that currently it is looking for a new partner for the high pressure acid Leach (HPAL) nickel smelter project in Sorowako.

President Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PT Vale Indonesia Tbk (INCO) Febriany Eddy said, based on the company's plan, the management of the SOA smelter HPAL Sorowako would cooperate with third parties.

"This is indeed the plan of three parties, yes. Currently, there are only two, Huayou and Vale," he said at the Public Expose 2024, Monday, August 26.

Febriany continued, based on discussions that have been carried out between Huayou and Vale, Huayou will play a role in finding a third partner. According to him, both parties also agreed that as long as they met the prerequisites, Huayou's partner would be rejected by Vale.

"The conditions we put forward are of course those that are content for good international-level ESG, have a good reputation and are also important partners in supply chain for battery storage or EV. Thus, this is an important unit," he explained.

Febriany reiterated that currently many automakers are interested in joining the joint venture with Vale and Huayou but he admits that he has not found the right partner

"Then for SOA HPAL, we are currently in the process. We are using independence, independent parties to choose their technology partners. For this reason, the process is still ongoing as well. Our hope is that by the end of this year or no later than the first quarter of next year there will be good news," concluded Febriany.