Vale's Boss Shows Off Never Exported Nickel Ore Since Operating

Nickel ore. (DOC. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - President Director of PT Vale Indonesia Tbk (INCO) Febriany Eddy revealed that since its initial operation, PT Vale has never exported nickel ore abroad.

Febriany said this was in line with the government's aggressive steps to downstream domestic mineral products to provide added value.

"Hilirization has been part of PT Vale since we were founded. So maybe not many people actually know that we have never exported raw ore. Even our factory has been built since 1978," Febriany said in the Mining Zone quoted on Saturday, August 24.

In fact, he said, since the beginning the company established a nickel production process in Vale has used clean energy from the Larona Hydroelectric Power Plant (PLTA).

"Even in 1978, our factory has been supported by the Larona hydropower plant. So the smelting process has also been using the hydropower plant since 1978," continued Febriany.

Over time, Febriany said that his party was also expanding the factory which was also followed by the expansion of the hydropower plant.

To date, Vale has recorded 3 units of hydropower used to support the production process of Vale's nickel mines.

"So the last one is 2011. We have 365 MW. So we, actually downstreaming this is something that has been a part of us since we arrived.

Furthermore, he said that his party also agreed 100 percent with the government's aggressive steps to downstream minerals, including nickel products.

"Fronts of years in Sorowako, we are in the East, it can be seen that the added value of this downstream is indeed very significant. From selling seeds to selling products, processing processes," he concluded.