PT Vale Drives Economic and Environmental Development Through Two Milestones in Kolaka
KOLAKA — The 66th anniversary celebration of Kolaka district this year has been marked not only by ceremonial events. Amid the festivities, two major projects were officially launched, signalling a new direction for Kolaka’s development that links community economic growth with environmental commitment.
Through PT Vale Indonesia Tbk, which is part of Mining Industry Indonesia (MIND ID), the company has launched two strategic milestones through its Indonesia Growth Project Pomalaa.
The two projects are the revitalisation of Pasar Sentral Mekongga (Mekongga Central Market) and the inauguration of an integrated nursery facility with Kolaka’s botanical garden.
The momentum took place coinciding with the district’s anniversary peak on Friday, 28 February 2026.
For Kolaka residents, Pasar Sentral Mekongga is far more than a marketplace. The market serves as a distribution hub for foodstuffs and daily necessities, supplying at least six other traditional markets across Kolaka district.
It is at this location that PT Vale has begun revitalising the market area covering 7.55 hectares with 38 functional blocks. The area will be developed to be more modern, clean, orderly, and environmentally friendly. The project’s investment value is projected to reach approximately Rp200 billion, with a completion target within three years.
President Director of PT Vale Indonesia, Bernardus Irmanto, emphasised that the market revitalisation is designed not merely as physical construction.
He noted that the market’s design is also equipped with waste management facilities and other supporting spaces to ensure that economic activities operate more sustainably.
“It is not just about presenting a market physically, but about creating truly empowered economic life,” said Bernardus in his remarks at the launch of the market revitalisation.
He added that the public space will maintain the traditional market character that has long defined Kolaka’s identity.
Kolaka district head, H. Amri, stated that the revitalisation of Pasar Sentral Mekongga forms part of the local government’s efforts to improve the quality of trading infrastructure.
According to him, the reorganisation of stalls and market sections will be made more orderly, whilst ensuring comfort and security for vendors and buyers.
The revitalisation takes place amid a surge in district investment. In 2025, investment realisation in Kolaka reached approximately Rp19.36 trillion. The basic metals and mining sector became the largest contributor.
Strategic national project in Pomalaa
Indonesia Growth Project Pomalaa is a strategic national investment worth approximately Rp67.5 trillion, or equivalent to US$4.29 billion. The project develops integrated nickel mining and processing activities, whilst supporting the national downstream agenda.
Since entering the construction phase, the project has created more than 2,500 employment opportunities. Local supply chains and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have begun participating. Contributions to local government revenue have also increased.
All activities are being conducted using an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) approach as part of the company’s long-term strategy.
Beyond the economic sector, PT Vale has also inaugurated a 5-hectare nursery facility in Tanggetada sub-district. The facility is integrated with Kolaka’s botanical garden area, which spans a total of 59 hectares.
The nursery has production capacity of up to one million seedlings per year. The seedlings prepared include fast-growing plants, endemic flora from Southeast Sulawesi, fruit plants, and ornamental plants.
The plant nursery facility is designed to support land rehabilitation and reclamation following mining activities. Bernardus described the nursery’s development as a symbol of the company’s seriousness in maintaining a balance between industrial growth and environmental conservation.
The nursery has also been prepared as an environmental education and biodiversity conservation centre that can be utilised by students and the wider community.
Kolaka district head expressed appreciation for the facility’s development. He regarded the plant nursery centre as having emerged from the collaboration of many stakeholders and as an important component of the district’s long-term development.
The inauguration of the nursery and the launch of the Pasar Sentral Mekongga revitalisation mark a strong signal of synergy between the local government and the business sector in Kolaka. Through Indonesia Growth Project Pomalaa, PT Vale positions industrial investment not merely as a driver of production, but also as a social and environmental foundation for Kolaka’s future and that of eastern Indonesia’s wider region.