Vale's Sorlim Project Reaches 50% Progress, Underscoring Integrity in Nickel Downstreaming

PT Vale Indonesia has reaffirmed its commitment to responsible governance as its Sorowako Limonite (Sorlim) downstreaming project reaches a significant construction milestone. The company stated that the growth of the industry is measured not only by construction figures, which have now surpassed 50.5%, but also by integrity in building public trust through accurate and fact-based information.

Yusri Yunus, Head of External Relations Sorowako & Outer Area at PT Vale, said the company’s 58th anniversary theme, ‘Growing with Responsibility’, serves as a reminder that responsible leadership must be supported by transparency. ‘Integrity is realised through the delivery of accurate, balanced, and fact-based information,’ he stated.

The company’s main focus is the completion of the Indonesia Growth Project (IGP) Sorowako Limonite, a National Strategic Project that integrates limonite mining development with a High Pressure Acid Leach (HPAL) processing facility in East Luwu Regency. The project is designed to process low-grade nickel ore into value-added products, forming the backbone of the national electric vehicle ecosystem and energy transition.

Ridwan Banda, Senior Manager of Construction for IGP Sorlim, detailed the progress, noting that mine development has reached 50.5% completion, while the HPAL facility construction stands at 19.3%. The mine is targeted for completion by the second quarter of 2027, with the HPAL facility to follow by the fourth quarter of 2027.

Beyond the physical construction, PT Vale highlighted its parallel social and environmental programmes. These include assisting local farmers with organic cultivation, mangrove transplantation, and coral reef conservation. The company is also investing in human capital through certified skills training for over 500 local residents and scholarship programmes across various educational levels. Furthermore, PT Vale is working with stakeholders to accelerate stunting reduction and strengthen local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through business capacity building and market access expansion. The company maintains that the project is a tangible manifestation of its commitment to ‘growing with integrity’, ensuring that industrial progress aligns with community welfare and environmental sustainability in East Luwu.