Leaking Oil Pipe In East Luwu, Vale Prioritizes Termination Of Oil Spread

JAKARTA - The oil pipeline belonging to PT Vale Indonesia Tbk (INCO) was leaked on Saturday 2025 and caused community rice fields in Towuti District, East Luwu, to be flooded with oil.

President Director of PT Vale, Bernardus Irmanto said, entering the third day of the oil pipeline leak incident, the source of the leak has been identified and isolated, and until now the entire technical team works day and night to stop the spread of oil flow as a top priority.

"We understand how difficult this situation is for the people of Towuti. Prayers and support from all parties are very meaningful for us. Our main focus is to stop the spread of oil flow, and we work with local governments and all stakeholders to ensure that handling steps run quickly and precisely. With the spirit of mutual cooperation, we believe that we can get through this situation together," he said, Monday, August 25.

He emphasized that Vale was fully aware that the public had the right to know the progress of the handling being carried out.

Therefore, the company opens access to information regularly through the official complaint posts and channels, as well as compiling daily reports with the East Luwu Regency Environment Agency to ensure public accountability.

He added that Vale also continues to coordinate closely with the Government of East Luwu Regency, Towuti District, BPBD, DLH, police, TNI, and all relevant stakeholders, including receiving visits from the Mining Inspector and a team from the Directorate General of Environmental and Forestry Law Enforcement (Ditjen Gakkum KLHK) as a form of openness and transparency.

In the midst of emergency handling, PT Vale also pays attention to the affected communities.

The company provides logistical support and health services, as well as involves local residents in handling efforts to ensure that economic solidarity and benefits are maintained.

The complaint post and official information have been opened at the Towuti Sub-District Office as a space for the community to convey needs or get direct information from the team.

Selain fokus menghentikan penyebaran aliran minyak, PT Vale berkomitmen penuh untuk bertanggung jawab dalam memulihkan lingkungan secara menyeluruh dan menanggulangi dampak sosial yang ditimbulkan.

Upaya pemulihan ini akan dilakukan secara bertahap, mencakup rehabilitasi ekosistem di area terdampak, dukungan sosial-ekonomi bagi masyarakat, serta evaluasi dan penguatan sistem keamanan pipa agar kejadian serupa tidak terulang di masa depan.

"Semua proses pemulihan akan dilakukan dalam koordinasi yang erat dengan Pemerintah Kabupaten Luwu Timur dan pihak-pihak terkait, dengan prinsip transparansi serta akuntabilitas publik," tandas dia.

In addition to focusing on stopping the spread of oil flow, PT Vale is fully committed to being responsible for restoring the environment as a whole and tackling the social impacts caused.

This recovery effort will be carried out in stages, including ecosystem rehabilitation in affected areas, socio-economic support for the community, as well as evaluation and strengthening of pipeline security systems so that similar incidents do not happen again in the future.

"All recovery processes will be carried out in close coordination with the East Luwu Regency Government and related parties, with the principles of transparency and public accountability," he said.