POMALAA, August 4, 2026 – Mining Industry Indonesia (MIND ID) has reaffirmed its full support for the development of the Indonesia Growth Project (IGP) Pomalaa through a working visit by MIND ID Commissioner and Chief Assistant for Operations of the Indonesian National Police (Astamaops Polri), Commissioner General of Police Dr. Mohammad Fadil Imran, M.Si., together with MIND ID President Director Maroef Sjamsoeddin, to the PT Vale Indonesia Tbk (PT Vale) project area in Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi.
The visit, attended by representatives of the regional government, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri), the Prosecutor's Office, and other key stakeholders, forms part of a broader effort to strengthen interagency collaboration in ensuring that the Pomalaa Block National Strategic Project (PSN) is developed in a safe, conducive, legally compliant, and sustainable manner while delivering added value to Indonesia and local communities.
The visit also reflects MIND ID’s commitment as Indonesia’s state-owned mining holding company to oversee and support PT Vale’s strategic projects as part of the national mineral downstreaming agenda. This support extends beyond the project's development and includes strengthening investment certainty, promoting good governance, protecting communities and the environment, and creating long-term economic benefits for Kolaka Regency and Southeast Sulawesi.
During the visit, Commissioner General Mohammad Fadil Imran was accompanied by MIND ID President Director Maroef Sjamsoeddin, PT Vale management representatives including Chief Sustainability & Corporate Affairs Officer Budiawansyah and Chief Project Officer Muhammad Asril, as well as Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) members.
Also present were Southeast Sulawesi Police Chief Inspector General Himawan Bayu Aji, Hasanuddin Military Regional Commander Major General Bangun Nawoko, Speaker of the Southeast Sulawesi Regional Legislative Council La Ode Tariala, Kolaka Regent H. Amri, Kolaka Police Chief AKBP Yudha Widyatama Nugraha, Commander of Military Resort Command 143/Halu Oleo Brigadier General Raden Wahyu Sugiarto, and Southeast Sulawesi Chief Prosecutor Sugeng Riyanta.
The presence of MIND ID alongside regional government authorities, the TNI, Polri, the Prosecutor's Office, PT Vale, project partners, and other stakeholders further strengthens cross-sector collaboration in safeguarding security, legal certainty, operational continuity, and the sustainable development of the Pomalaa Block PSN.
This synergy also underscores that any social, legal, or operational issues arising around the project area should be resolved through dialogue, coordination, and transparent mechanisms in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. This approach is essential to maintaining a balance between investment sustainability, community rights protection, legal certainty, and environmental conservation.
As part of Indonesia’s strategic mineral downstreaming agenda, IGP Pomalaa is being developed to enhance the value of Indonesia’s mineral resources while supporting the country's position in the global electric vehicle (EV) supply chain.
At Pomalaa Block, PT Vale and its global partners have established a joint venture company, PT Kolaka Nickel Indonesia (KNI), to develop a High Pressure Acid Leach (HPAL) facility within the PT Indonesia Pomalaa Industrial Park (IPIP) industrial estate.
The facility is designed to produce Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate (MHP) with an estimated annual production capacity of approximately 120,000 tonnes of nickel and 15,000 tonnes of cobalt contained in MHP. These products are critical raw materials for the global electric vehicle battery supply chain.
Through this project, PT Vale aims not only to support the national downstreaming agenda but also to foster the growth of a new industrial ecosystem, stimulate regional economic activity, develop workforce capabilities, and create business opportunities for communities surrounding its operations.
During the site visit, Commissioner General Mohammad Fadil Imran emphasized the importance of maintaining a safe and conducive investment climate while prioritizing community interests and environmental sustainability.
“The holding company will certainly provide maximum support to its subsidiary [PT Vale]. When social concerns emerge, we hold discussions in Jakarta and then conduct field assessments involving the Forkopimda, regional police, military command, regent, and the prosecutor’s office. Our hope is that all issues can be resolved through synergy without leaving communities behind. We want this industrial area to prosper, the people to prosper, and nature to remain preserved,” said Commissioner General Fadil Imran.
His statement reaffirms MIND ID’s full support for the continued development of PT Vale’s Pomalaa operations and highlights the importance of creating an investment climate that provides certainty for businesses, benefits for communities, and protection for the environment.
Commissioner General Fadil Imran also highlighted the multiplier effects resulting from the industrial development in Kolaka. Growth in transportation, culinary businesses, hospitality, tourism, and employment opportunities has become part of the benefits experienced by local communities and the region.
“The community is very grateful. This is my second visit here. I also heard from the Regent that the industrial area [and PT Vale’s presence] has generated significant multiplier effects, from trucking businesses, culinary services, tourism, hotels, and various other sectors, including job creation. Therefore, we should all support these developments and avoid creating disturbances that could affect not only Kolaka and Southeast Sulawesi but also Indonesia’s reputation. Every issue can be resolved if approached with sincerity, clear thinking, and a shared goal of progress. Maintaining a conducive investment climate is our top priority,” he added.
This support reinforces the understanding that the sustainability of the Pomalaa Block PSN requires legal certainty, security, strong coordination, and constructive dialogue. Any issues should be addressed through legitimate mechanisms that prioritize the common good without disrupting public safety, community activities, or the progress of this national strategic project.
In addressing potential operational challenges, including disruptions to critical access routes and logistics corridors, all parties remain committed to ensuring that responses are firm, proportionate, and fully compliant with applicable laws. These measures are part of broader efforts to safeguard strategic assets, protect workers and communities, and maintain investment certainty within the PSN area.
Downstream Development that Grows Together with Communities
The support of MIND ID and the synergy among the central government, regional governments, law enforcement agencies, the TNI, Polri, the Prosecutor’s Office, industry partners, and local communities form a critical foundation for the success of IGP Pomalaa.
PT Vale’s Chief Sustainability & Corporate Affairs Officer, Budiawansyah, stated that the company is committed to ensuring every stage of IGP Pomalaa’s development aligns with sustainability principles, legal compliance, good governance, and respect for local communities.
“For PT Vale, the success of IGP Pomalaa is not measured solely by physical project progress, but also by our ability to maintain community trust, comply with regulations, and deliver long-term benefits to the region. We believe strong downstream development must go hand in hand with good governance, open dialogue, and the protection of both the environment and community rights,” said Budiawansyah.
This commitment is reflected in a development approach that integrates economic, social, environmental, and governance considerations. As a result, industrial growth in Pomalaa is expected to advance alongside community capacity building, expanded local economic opportunities, and more inclusive and sustainable prosperity.
Meanwhile, PT Vale Chief Project Officer Muhammad Asril emphasized that the construction of the Pomalaa HPAL facility continues to prioritize safety, quality, execution discipline, and responsible project delivery.
“IGP Pomalaa is a large-scale strategic project with a high level of complexity. Therefore, every stage of development is carried out in a disciplined, measurable, and safety-focused manner. Collaboration with KNI, IPIP, Huayou, Ford, government institutions, and all stakeholders is essential to ensuring that this project delivers optimal value for Indonesia and the people of Kolaka,” said Muhammad Asril.
All phases of IGP Pomalaa’s development will continue to adhere to good mining practices, occupational safety standards, environmental governance principles, licensing requirements, and good corporate governance standards. This approach is part of PT Vale’s commitment to building a nickel industry that is economically competitive, socially and environmentally responsible, and capable of delivering long-term value to all stakeholders.
With MIND ID’s full support, strengthened collaboration with government authorities and law enforcement agencies, and constructive engagement with communities and industry partners, IGP Pomalaa is expected to become a model for sustainable nickel downstream development. The project is intended not only to strengthen Indonesia’s position in the global EV battery supply chain but also to drive inclusive regional economic growth, enhance national competitiveness, and deliver progress that grows together with local communities while preserving the environment.
