Already Being Built, Vale's Nickel Smelter Targeted to Start Production in 2026

President Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PT Vale Indonesia Tbk (INCO) Febriany Eddy (right) (photo: ig febriany.eddy)

JAKARTA - President Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PT Vale Indonesia Tbk (INCO) Febriany Eddy revealed the progress of the construction of Vale's refining facility or smelter in Pomala. Febriany said that her party is targeting this smelter to start operating in 2026

"For Pomala by the end of this year it should be around 20 percent and we hope that in the first quarter of 2026 it will be in production," she said in Mining Zone quoted on Saturday, August 24.

Just so you know, currently there are 3 Vale smelter construction projects including the High Pressure Acid Leach (HPAL) project in Pomala, Southeast Sulawesi, the nickel matte smelter project in Sorowako and the ferronickel smelter project in Bahodopi.

"Frankly, this is still in the construction phase. So we are partnering with our partners. So most of us are doing efficiency and effectiveness from partners in building these factories. Well, right now, maybe the most advanced one is in Pomala. Pomala should be able to be completed if everything goes smoothly in 2026. I think the others will also be around 2026-2027," explained Febriany.

Febriany further said that the HPAL smelter project in Pomaala is collaborating with an automotive company from the United States (US), namely Ford Motor Co. and a company from China, namely Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt.

In this collaboration, Vale plays a role in providing nickel ore and Ford plays a role as a provider of funding and market access for nickel processing results from the HPAL smelter. Meanwhile, Huayou will act as a provider of HPAL technology used in the nickel smelter.

"Huayou brings its sufficient HPAL technology, now it is very mature. There is already a proven track record where its efficiency and effectiveness are very high," she concluded.