PT Trimegah Bangun Persada, Tbk, or Harita Nickel, a leading integrated nickel mining and processing company, has committed to undergoing an independent third-party assessment against the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) Standards for Responsible Mining. The Harita Nickel mine, located on Obi Island, South Halmahera, North Maluku, is the first in Indonesia to officially commit to being audited by IRMA.
“With its voluntary submission to an independent audit against the world’s most stringent global mining standards, Harita Nickel is setting an unprecedented example of operational transparency in Indonesia’s mining sector,” said Aimee Boulanger, Executive Director of IRMA. “Harita is providing stakeholders with crucial information that they can use to engage with the company on how to promote more responsible mining practices. This is particularly timely given the importance of nickel in supporting the energy transition and the growing demand from downstream buyers for responsibly mined nickel, particularly in the automotive and renewable energy sectors.”
Harita Nickel’s commitment to undergo the rigorous IRMA audit demonstrates the company's dedication to responsible mining practices in Indonesia. Septian Hario Seto, Deputy of Indonesia's Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, praised the initiative, stating, “This step not only sets a benchmark for the industry but also supports the government’s vision for a more transparent, environmentally, and socially responsible mining sector. This alignment with global standards ensures long-term benefits for both communities and the environment.”
“We want our buyers to have confidence that they are sourcing responsibly produced nickel,” said Roy Arman Arfandy, President Director of PT Trimegah Bangun Persada, Tbk (Harita Nickel). “By undergoing the independent IRMA audit, we aim to align our operations with best practices and continuously improve in collaboration with affected stakeholders and rights holders. We are committed to long-term compliance with international standards for responsible mining.”
The Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) is (1) a voluntary mining standard that describes best practices for protecting communities and the environment, (2) an assurance process to measure mines against that standard, and (3) an organization governed equally by representatives from six affected stakeholder sectors - communities, organized labor, NGOs, finance, buyers and mining companies - that controls the standard and assurance process. IRMA is globally unique in that its governance gives communities the same power as mining companies, and non-commercial interests the same power as commercial interests.
Harita Nickel, which began operations in 2010, has been running a high-grade nickel ore (saprolite) smelter since 2017, a low-grade nickel ore (limonite) refinery since 2021, and nickel sulfate and cobalt sulfate production facilities since 2023. These facilities are located across Harita Nickel's two active mining concessions. Harita Nickel produces key raw materials for electric vehicle batteries by processing and refining low-grade nickel ore using High-Pressure Acid Leach (HPAL) technology to produce Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate (MHP), which is further processed into nickel sulfate (NiSO4) and cobalt sulfate (CoSO4).
SCS Global Services, an IRMA-approved independent audit firm, will conduct the assessment, starting with a desktop review (stage 1), followed by an on-site field audit (stage 2). Stakeholders, including affected communities, public officials, labor representatives, or other interested parties, are invited to submit comments about how the mine manages its environmental impacts (such as air, water, waste, greenhouse gases, and ecosystems), supports its workforce, and interacts with surrounding communities. Interested parties can also request interviews with auditors during the site visit.
