Global-top-10 nickel producer Nickel Industries (NIC) has reaffirmed its commitment to climate action, vowing to achieve a 50% reduction in carbon intensity by 2035 and net zero emissions by 2050.

The company made the announcement at the World Climate Action Summit in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the weekend, where it was one of only two Indonesian mining operators in attendance.

Managing Director Justin Werner said Nickel Industries was proudly taking a leadership role in advancing the sustainability of Indonesia’s nickel industry.

“Nickel Industries is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and developing products essential for the global energy transition and the sustainability of our operating environment,’’ Mr Werner said.

Since its Initial Public Offering, Nickel Industries has established itself as a globally significant nickel pig iron (NPI) producer and has recently diversified into the ‘Class 1’ nickel electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain by converting some of its current production into nickel matte and acquiring an interest in the operating Huayue Nickel Cobalt high pressure acid leach (HPAL) project (HNC).

“Each incremental unit of HPAL nickel production decreases Nickel Industries’ carbon intensity, plus we have industry best practice tailings storage via dry-stack storage across our HPAL operations,’’ Mr Werner said.

“We are implementing the most advanced third-generation HPAL processes with power consumption 70% lower than other HPAL plants and carbon emissions one-tenth of similar pyrometallurgical plants.

“These and other measures, including the adoption of renewable power sources across NIC’s operation to further de-carbonise puts us on track to achieve a 50% reduction in carbon intensity by 2035 and net zero emissions by 2050,” Mr Werner said.

Nickel Industries’ commitment to a material reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is further evidenced by its 2022 binding agreement with renewable energy company PT Sumber Energi Surya Nusantara (SESNA) to develop, install, operate and maintain a 200MWp + 20MWh battery solar project within the Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) – the largest solar power project in the country. The project will power the NIC’s Hengjaya, Ranger and Oracle Nickel processing operations.  

Heat recovery to reduce coal consumption and transitioning to bio fuels for its mining fleet are other measures Nickel Industries has put in place to reduce its carbon footprint.

Nickel Industries has earned numerous accolades for environmental responsibility including the Green Proper Rating from the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry. The Company has rehabilitated around 2000ha in Central Sulawesi, in which more than 2 million trees have been planted since 2019.

These efforts will stimulate local economies with projected incomes of USD $535 per hectare which will begin eight years after plantation.

“Environmental sustainability is a core part of the Nickel Industries business. The Company is committed to seeking zero harm for the environment and establishing a positive legacy in the regions it operates – from exploration to rehabilitation and closure,’’ Mr Werner said.

Image source: NICL

Source: ANTARA/Sugiharto Purnama