Meet Commission VII, Owner Of KFI Clarifies Explosion In Smelter

A fire explosion at a nickel factory in Penordin, Sanga Sanga District, Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan. (ANTARA/HO-Screenshot).

JAKARTA - PT Kalimantan Ferro Industry Representative Owner Muhammad Ardhi Soemargo met with Commission VII DPR RI at the General Hearing Meeting (RDPU).

Just so you know, previously in May there was a fire in a nickel smelter in Kutai Kartanegara Village, East Kalimantan, owned by PT Kalimantan Ferro Industry (KFI) which injured two employees.

On this occasion, Ardhi said, related to the May 16, 2024 incident, it was not a fire, but only a few explosions caused a fire in a short time.

At that time, PT KFI immediately took medical action by fleeing the victim to the nearest Puskesmas and repatriating him.

"That's why if you (Members of Commission VII DPR) say a fire, we can convey a fire. That's a eruption in the waste that is not part of the smelter," he said, Monday, June 8.

After the incident, Ardhi said that his party ordered the construction of a large increase in the nickel plug pool and added 2 points of waterways to enlarge the water discharge, and increase the height of the wall to 10 meters so that the fire does not spread.

"Kdua, we provide a water level indicator in the nickel plug reservoir to be a more optimal sign. We are also conveyed to maintain routine maintenance of equipment calibration so that if there is a similar incident we can coordinate with the manufacturing company of tools," explained Ardhi.

He also emphasized that KFI had made Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) the basis for the company to operate.

So that when the incident occurred in May 2024, KFI had added a number of K3 equipment, ranging from APAR, to fire engines.

"We have given it three extra times of the things we should need," he concluded.