Vale Indonesia plans to build $2 billion ferronickel smelter in Southeast Sulawesi
2017-03-31 09:21:43 [Print]
BEIJING (Asian Metal) 31 Mar 17 - Nickel mine operator PT Vale Indonesia plans to build a US$2 billion ferronickel smelter in Pomalaa, Southeast Sulawesi.
The company plans to start the construction of the new facility in 2018, while the operation is expected to start in 2023.
However, the company is still waiting for the issuance of the forest area utilization permits and is in the process of revising the environmental impact analysis for the project.
It has teamed up with Japanese miner Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd. to develop high pressure acid leaching (HPAL) technology for the Pomalaa processing plant and is looking for another partner to help produce the ferronickel in the facility.
Additionally, the company is looking for a partner to build another ferronickel plant in Bahodopi, Central Sulawesi.
Vale Indonesia president director Nico Kanter disclosed that a Chinese investor has conducted a pre-feasibility study for the Bahodopi smelter and the study is expected to be completed in September.
The company is also looking to upgrade its nickel smelter in Sorowako, South Sulawesi, with the aim of increasing its production capacity to 90,000 tons of nickel in matte a year by 2019, compared to the current 80,000 tons of nickel in matte a year.
The company plans to start the construction of the new facility in 2018, while the operation is expected to start in 2023.
However, the company is still waiting for the issuance of the forest area utilization permits and is in the process of revising the environmental impact analysis for the project.
It has teamed up with Japanese miner Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd. to develop high pressure acid leaching (HPAL) technology for the Pomalaa processing plant and is looking for another partner to help produce the ferronickel in the facility.
Additionally, the company is looking for a partner to build another ferronickel plant in Bahodopi, Central Sulawesi.
Vale Indonesia president director Nico Kanter disclosed that a Chinese investor has conducted a pre-feasibility study for the Bahodopi smelter and the study is expected to be completed in September.
The company is also looking to upgrade its nickel smelter in Sorowako, South Sulawesi, with the aim of increasing its production capacity to 90,000 tons of nickel in matte a year by 2019, compared to the current 80,000 tons of nickel in matte a year.
Ferro-nickel 1.5%min EXW China
Unit:RMB/mt
China ferronickel producers' sales to production ratio statistics by province by month
Unit: %
