Vale Indonesia updates on progress of Sulawesi HPAL projects
Tuesday, January 20 2026 - 08:57 AM WIB
By Calvin Purba
IDX-listed integrated nickel miner PT Vale Indonesia Tbk (IDX: INCO) has provided updates on the development of its nickel mining and high-pressure acid leach (HPAL) projects across three locations in Sulawesi: Morowali, Pomalaa, and Sorowako.
The update was delivered by PT Vale President Director and CEO Bernardus Irmanto during a hearing with the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission XII on Monday (Jan. 19).
IGP Pomalaa, Southeast Sulawesi
Regarding the construction of the HPAL project in Pomalaa, Bernardus said overall construction progress has reached 60%. PT Vale projects mechanical completion will be achieved in August 2026.
“As of now, two autoclaves have already arrived, and another five autoclaves are scheduled to arrive. Mechanical completion is projected for August 2026,” he said.
Looking ahead, PT Vale is targeting full completion of the Pomalaa HPAL project by January 2027.
“It is expected that by August, at least two autoclaves and two production lines will be completed, and then gradually, by January 2027, the entire facility will be fully completed,” he said.
In terms of nickel production, Bernardus explained that mining activities will begin this year to supply feedstock for the Pomalaa smelter.
“We must start mining activities this year so that by August there will be at least three months’ worth of stockpiled feed,” he said.
The Pomalaa HPAL plant is targeted to produce up to 120,000 tonnes of mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP) per year. Through its subsidiary PT Kolaka Nickel Industry (KNI), PT Vale plans to produce 21 million wet metric tonnes (wmt) of limonite and 7 million wmt of saprolite annually. Total investment in the mine and HPAL plant is projected at $4.5 billion.
The IGP Pomalaa project is being developed in partnership with Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co., Ltd. and Ford Motor Company.
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IGP Morowali, Central Sulawesi
For the Morowali HPAL project, PT Vale is also targeting mechanical completion by the fourth quarter of 2026. To prepare for operations, the company plans to build a feedstock stockpile sufficient for at least three months.
“Our estimate is that mechanical completion can be achieved in the fourth quarter of 2026,” Bernardus said.
The Morowali HPAL plant will have an annual nickel capacity of 73,000 tonnes, producing 60,000 tonnes of MHP per year. Mining operations are planned to produce 10.4 million wmt of limonite and 5.5 million wmt of saprolite annually. Total investment in the Morowali mine and HPAL plant is projected at $2 billion.
The Morowali facility will be supported by a liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant with a capacity of up to 500 megawatts (MW). By integrating waste heat recovery and solar panels, the project is expected to achieve net-zero emissions.
PT Vale partners with a consortium including GEM Hong Kong International Co. Ltd. and South Korean company Ecopro in the IGP Morowali project.
IGP Sorowako, South Sulawesi
Bernardus said that the autoclaves for the Sorowako HPAL project are currently under construction. The company expects construction to be completed and the equipment shipped to the site by mid-2026.
“The autoclaves are currently under construction, and once completed they will be shipped to the site, hopefully by mid-2026,” he said.
PT Vale is also preparing the feed preparation plant (FPP) at Sorowako and has begun land clearing activities. PT Vale and Huayou are also currently conducting an assessment to identify a third partner for the development of IGP Sorowako.
The Sorowako HPAL plant will have an annual capacity of 60,000 tonnes of MHP, supported by mining operations producing 11.5 million wmt of limonite per year. Total investment in the mine and HPAL plant is projected at $2.2 billion.
The Sorowako project is being developed through a joint venture under Indonesia Huayou Industry Park (IHIP), established in June 2023. Huayou Cobalt holds a 70% stake in the venture, while PT Rimau Java Investama owns the remaining 30%.
Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak