Vale hopes to complete second phase coal conversion project next year

By Thomas Sembiring

Petromindo|Dasir

IDX-listed integrated nickel mining company PT Vale Indonesia Tbk aims to complete the second phase coal conversion project in the first quarter of next year.

PT Vale Finance Director Febriany Eddy said on Monday the second phase follows the company?s success in implementing the first phase coal conversion project in 2013, when its dryers and reduction kilns converted into using cheaper coal as fuel from High Sulphur Fuel Oil (HSFO).

?This year, it (the second phase coal conversion) is still at the stage of project development,? she said, adding that under the second phase, five reduction kilns will be converted into using coal.

She added that as per June of this year, the company has managed to save cost up to US$9.5 million from the coal conversion project.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak