[SMM Nickel Flash] Severe Dry Conditions Disrupt Ramp-Up of Nickel Industries’ ENC HPAL Project

Published: Sep 15, 2026 14:38

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Nickel Industries stated that the ramp-up of its Excelsior Nickel Cobalt HPAL project in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, has been disrupted by water shortages caused by exceptionally dry weather. Rainfall at the nearby Hengjaya Mine totalled less than 4 mm in August 2026, compared with a historical August average of 222 mm. Before the constraints emerged, ENC had reached approximately 50% of nameplate capacity within four weeks of commissioning. If water shortages persist, the project is expected to operate at around 30% of nameplate capacity until conditions normalise. The company expects water availability to recover with the wet season by December 2026. Its RKEF operations remain unaffected and continue to operate normally.

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