PT Vale Strengthens Role as a Pioneer of Community-Based Sustainable Development

JAKARTA, WN—Winning the community empowerment award at the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Appreciation 2025, PT Vale Indonesia, Tbk (PT Vale) strengthens its role as a pioneer of community-based sustainable development. PT Vale as part of the Mining Industry Indonesia (MIND ID) group and the government’s strategic partner in encouraging downstream and sustainable development in the energy and mineral resources sector, PT Vale reiterates its commitment to inclusive and long-term social development. The Company officially won the Community Empowerment award at the 2025 ESG Appreciation event held by B-Universe on (20/11/2025) in Jakarta.

This award was given to PT Vale for the Company’s consistency and success in presenting community empowerment programs that are measurable, innovative, and have a direct impact on communities in its operational areas – both in Sorowako, East Luwu (Lutim), South Sulawesi (Sulsel), and in Kolaka, Southeast Sulawesi (Sultra)

The award was received by Vinicius Mendes Ferreira, Executive Advisor of PT Vale Indonesia Tbk, representing the Company. In his statement, Vinicius said, “Community empowerment is the essence of sustainability itself. For us, every program must open opportunities, strengthen capacity and provide long-term progress for the communities around our operations.”

This award recognizes various main programs of PT Vale which over the last few years have become a model of community-based social development in the mining sector. Three prominent initiatives are Matano Iniaku, Healthy, Clean, Empowered Kolaka, and Village SDGs PPM.

“Matano Iniaku” Transforming a Remote Village into a Resilient Community
The Matano Iniaku program in Matano Hamlet, on the shores of Lake Matano, East Luwu, was born from a dialogue and community participation approach. Previously, this remote hamlet could only be accessed via raft, had minimal health facilities, and had no clean water network.

Through this program, the Company presents:
*Clean water pipe system directly to residents’ homes.
*Rehabilitation of 200 hectares of River Watershed (DAS), increasing the water discharge of the Laa Waa River and reducing emissions by 22,538 tonnes of CO₂eq.
*Speedboat ambulances, telecommunications networks, and basic infrastructure improvements.
*Establishment of four local institutions (Pokdarwis, farmer groups, KWT, and Redkar) to ensure social sustainability.

This program recorded a Social Return on Investment (SROI) of 1:1.08 and was named the best PPM at national level through the 2025 Subroto Award.
“Kolaka is Healthy, Clean, Empowered” — Foundation for Empowerment in the Pomalaa Block

In Southeast Sulawesi, PT Vale launched the Healthy, Clean and Empowered Kolaka program, a community development framework that is aligned with the development of the Pomalaa Block industrial area with strategic partner, Huayou.

This program focuses on three main pillars:
1. Healthy Kolaka — improving health services, nutrition and clean water.
2. Clean Kolaka — integrated waste management and environmental restoration.
3. Empowered Kolaka — strengthening MSMEs, empowering women, youth vocations, and improving the household economy.

To encourage the readiness of the local workforce, PT Vale and Huayou also launched the Bridge Program, which equips Kolaka youth with competencies in hydrometallurgy and the electric vehicle battery industry.

Village SDGs PPM — Strengthening the Independence of 38 Villages Around Operations
Since 2023, the Company is running the Village SDGs Support PPM Program which covers 38 villages in four sub-districts around Sorowako: Malili, Wasuponda, Nuha, and Towuti.

This program supports:
* Improving the local economy through MSMEs and cooperatives.
* Improvement of basic services such as clean water, irrigation, health and education.
* Development of village infrastructure based on community needs.
* Developing the capacity of the younger generation through vocational training and financial literacy.

A participatory approach—the community as the main planner, the company as the technical assistant, and the government as the guardian of governance—is the key to the success of this program. The initial impact can be seen in increasing the quality of public services and economic growth in the assisted villages.

Commitment to an Inclusive Future
The success of these initiatives demonstrates the company’s shared value philosophy: that sustainability is not just about complying with standards, but about delivering benefits that are truly felt by society.

Vinicius Mendes Ferreira emphasized: “Sustainability does not stop at compliance. It must appear as felt change, open opportunities and a future that grows with society.”

By winning the Community Empowerment award at the 2025 ESG Appreciation, the company continues its role as a pioneer of social development in the mining sector, encouraging more resilient, inclusive and empowered communities from South Sulawesi to Southeast Sulawesi. This was conveyed by the Head of Corporate Communications of PT Vale Indonesia, Vanda Kusumaningrum to journalists in a press release on (20/11/2025).(**)

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