PT Vale Indonesia Tbk (PT Vale) is currently developing two High-Pressure Acid Leach (HPAL) smelter projects in Bahodopi, Central Sulawesi, and Morowali, Southeast Sulawesi.
These smelters are expected to produce a total of 180,000 tons of HPAL nickel and are targeted for completion by 2027.
PT Vale’s Director & Chief Operation and Infrastructure Officer, Abu Ashar, stated that both smelters utilize HPAL technology. The Bahodopi smelter will have a production capacity of up to 60,000 tons of nickel.
"Meanwhile, the Morowali smelter will be capable of producing up to 120,000 tons," Abu Ashar said during a media gathering at a fast-breaking event in Makassar on Friday (March 21, 2025).
These two strategic national projects require an investment of up to USD 9 billion, or approximately IDR 130 trillion.
Abu Ashar explained that construction in Bahodopi is already 80% complete and is expected to be fully operational by the end of this year.
Meanwhile, the Morowali smelter is currently at 18% completion and is projected to be finished by the fourth quarter of 2026.
He emphasized that PT Vale is not only developing mining projects but also laying the foundation for Indonesia’s future in the global electric vehicle and green energy ecosystem.
