A Real Manifestation of Recovery in Towuti, PT Vale Completes Six Oil Pipeline Spill Handling Points

LUTIM, WN—A concrete manifestation of recovery in Towuti, East Luwu (Lutim), South Sulawesi (Sulsel), PT Vale Indonesia, Tbk (PT Vale) has completed six oil pipeline spill handling points. This was conveyed by the Head of Corporate Communications of PT Vale, Vanda Kusumaningrum in a press release to journalists via his cellphone on (22/10/2025).

He said that as a sustainable nickel company, PT Vale, which is part of the Mining Industry Group (MIND ID), confirmed significant progress in dealing with the aftermath of the oil pipeline leak in the Towuti area. Of the eleven treatment points mapped since the first day of the incident on August 23 2025, six points have been handled properly, with no visible traces of oil found in the water flow. The company continues to carry out regular monitoring at all locations as part of its measurable, structured and auditable recovery commitment.

This progress includes Point 2 (Lioka Village) which since September 13 2025 no longer requires cleaning activities because water clarity has returned. Similar conditions have also been achieved at Point 1 and Point 7. Meanwhile, Point 3, Point 8 and Point 9 have completed cleaning and are waiting for the results of water and soil quality tests from accredited laboratories. All technical data will be published periodically as part of transparency to stakeholders.

Citizens’ voices also record positive changes. Aroyos, a resident of Lioka Village who crosses Point 2 (the bridge connecting the village) every day, said, “This afternoon I passed (the bridge), I saw that with the naked eye the water was clear, very different from the beginning of the incident. I also saw that many people were already using car washes, motorbike washes, for their daily needs.”

From the start, PT Vale’s priority has been to stop the flow of oil, minimize impacts on communities and the environment, and ensure compliance with regulations.

“At the start of the incident, we prioritized public safety and health as well as environmental conditions. We mobilized all resources to minimize the impact by stopping the flow of oil,” said Endra Kusuma, Head of External Relations PT Vale Indonesia Tbk.

Handling efforts were carried out together with the East Luwu Regency Government under the support of the East Luwu Regent and related OPDs, regional leadership coordination forums, and community elements. All field steps are documented, reviewed and aligned with applicable oil spill response procedures and work safety standards.

For the social aspect, PT Vale together with the government and community representatives have agreed on a scheme and mechanism for distributing costs for handling impacts. The process of identifying and verifying beneficiaries currently takes place according to accurate, fair and documented principles, to ensure accountability and prevent duplication.

From an environmental aspect, PT Vale collaborates with academics from several universities to carry out regular monitoring of water and soil quality at affected points. The results of independent and accredited laboratory tests become a reference for decision making, including determining site closure criteria according to best practices and applicable regulations. Test data and technical summaries will be released in stages to ensure public accountability.

On October 19 2025, an evaluation meeting was held led by the Minister of the Environment in Depok. PT Vale conveyed the latest progress, temporary test data, as well as follow-up work plans for points that are still progressing. PT Vale is ready to follow up on all regulator directives and strengthen cross-institutional coordination.

“Our commitment and empathy towards the community and the environment from the beginning until now is still the same. We understand the community’s anxiety; this is our motivation to strengthen field work until Towuti recovers completely,” concluded Endra.

Statements regarding plans, recovery targets and publication of test data are forward-looking statements that depend on the results of scientific verification, field conditions and regulatory direction. PT Vale carries out all steps by referring to applicable laws and regulations, safety standards and transparency principles. No statement in this release is intended as a waiver of the legal rights and obligations of the parties.(**)

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