Supporting Sustainable Mining Practices in Pomalaa, PT Vale Indonesia: We are Open to Feedback

JAKARTA, WN—Support sustainable mining practices at Pomalaa. PT Vale Indonesia, Tbk (PT Vale) is open to input. This was stated by Budiawansyah as Director and Chief of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer of PT Vale in his statement, Monday (26/01/2026). said Budiawansyah as Director and Chief of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer of PT Vale in his statement, Monday in Jakarta on l(26/01/2026).

He continued that PT Vale Indonesia emphasized its commitment to implementing good and sustainable mining practices. This effort is demonstrated in the development of the Indonesia Growth Project (IGP) Pomalaa project in Kolaka, Southeast Sulawesi, which will build a smelter for nickel processing. Until the end of 2025, PT Vale Indonesia’s activities will still focus on the construction activity stage, and will start mining activities in 2026.

“We are always committed to implementing good mining management to support sustainable development, including protecting environmental sustainability, welfare, health and safety of the community. We can carry out this commitment without the support of the government, especially the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry,” said Budiawansyah.

He emphasized this when speaking at the launch of a research report and public discussion entitled ‘Research on the Development of Indonesia Pomalaa Industrial Park (IPIP) and the Indonesian Kolaka Nickel HPAL Smelting Plant (KNI)’ conducted by the Satya Bumi Foundation in Jakarta, Thursday (22/01/2026). In the discussion, Satya Bumi campaigner Alexandra Aulianta and Kisran Makati from Puspaham appeared as two speakers. Meanwhile Budiawansyah was present as a responder.

On this occasion, Budiawansyah provided an explanation regarding the findings made by Satya Bumi, including hydrological studies. Before mining activities are carried out, he said, PT Vale always prepares hydrological studies to manage mine runoff water so that its quality can meet the required environmental quality standard parameters before being released into water bodies.

The hydrological study includes mapping of water catchment areas; mapping the direction of runoff water flow, recording data on rainfall and rainfall intensity. Next, the potential for runoff water discharge, erosion and sedimentation is calculated; the need for drainage channels/runoff water distribution to the design of sediment management/capture facilities, both structure and capacity, in accordance with the land clearing plan. “To ensure the function of the sediment management/capture facilities, routine monitoring activities are carried out on the quality parameters of runoff water before it is distributed to water bodies at designated monitoring points. This is our concrete manifestation of managing the environment,” said Budiawansyah.

Regarding land clearing for PT Vale’s mining and supporting activities in Pomalaa, Budiawansyah explained that the total IUPK area that has been cleared is 880.3 Ha, or 4.3% of the total IPUK area. Specifically in protected forest areas, the area that has been cleared is 82.4HA, or 0.4% of the total area of ​​IPUK. Of the total land cleared, 83.7 Ha (0.4%) is an area for mining preparation activities and 796.54 Ha is an area for permanent supporting facilities, such as mining roads, offices, sediment control facilities, ore stockpiles, and others. “Specifically for the period 2024 to 2025, the total new land opening according to our records is 487.9 Ha, not 854.29 Ha as stated in which was conveyed in the Satya Bumi and Puspaham letters,” he said.

Furthermore, Budiawansyah emphasized that PT Vale Indonesia views that protecting the environment, public health and safety, is a very serious and important matter. According to him, safety is crucial not only for workers but also for the safety of the environment in which they operate. His party also understands the concerns expressed regarding the health condition of the residents of Hakatutobu Village.

Regarding the villages referred to in the study, Budiawansyah explained, based on mapping on a wider scale, the areas were close to several other mining concessions that had previously operated.

“Especially for Hakatutobu Village, based on our research, the village area is located in a watershed area (DAS) that is different from PT Vale’s mine runoff water output,” he said.

Budiawansyah stated that real good mining practices had been implemented in the Sorowako block, South Sulawesi. He also mentioned that appreciation of mining practices in Sorowako had led PT Vale Indonesia to win various prestigious awards for environmental and social management, including the 2024 Gold PROPER (the highest from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry), the 2025 Asia ESG Positive Impact Awards Gold Award for biodiversity conservation, and the 2025 Lestari Awards for biodiversity initiatives.

“Of course we really appreciate the study that has been carried out and of course it is our reference too. We really believe that this transparency is a way to build better activities. Once again, we are open to receiving constructive input from stakeholders, including from the community and NGOs regarding protection efforts,” he said. (**)

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