Vale Indonesia plans to rebuild No. 4 furnace to achieve an annual output of 90,000 tons of high nickel matte by 2023.

According to foreign media reports, PT Vale Indonesia Tbk (INCO) will rebuild the No. 4 furnace under the background of large-scale maintenance on December 14 to realize its plan to produce 90, 000 tons of high nickel matte per year by 2023.

Wafir, senior project manager at Vale Indonesia, said that the reconstruction of the No. 4 furnace was carried out in accordance with the company's sustainable operation strategy.

"this large-scale treatment is in line with the company's plan to produce 90, 000 tons of high nickel matte per year by 2023," Wafir said. The construction process for the reconstruction of the No. 4 furnace is scheduled to be completed within five months. "

He explained that the reconstruction of the No. 4 furnace was divided into six phases, including the detailed engineering design carried out in October 2019, followed by continued procurement from May 2020 to December 2021 and pre-shutdown activities from February to November 2021. Production was then suspended from December 2021 to May 2022. The next process after the planned shutdown is to heat up and accelerate from June to August 2022 and transfer the project in September 2022.

According to him, through this activity, compared with the current furnace, it is possible to see improvements in several aspects in the future.

Although the safety aspects of the project require special attention during the pre-assembly, construction, commissioning and heating / acceleration phases.

Wafir pointed out that the implementation of the project also followed the COVID-19 process. Measures taken include setting the maximum working hours per week, controlling the rest time of workers, monitoring the physical and mental condition of workers every day, and requiring workers to be vaccinated twice.

"in addition, the project will record, screen and coordinate unvaccinated employees," Wafir said. The exposure of all employees to COVID-19 will be monitored on a regular basis. "

At the same time, Feriany Eddy, chief executive officer of Vale Indonesia, explained that the reconstruction of the No. 4 furnace would not only have an impact on the production and operation of Vale Indonesia's Tbk, with an output of about 64000 tons this year. It has also played an important role in supporting the improvement of the community economy, as the process of rebuilding the No. 4 furnace has created jobs for the community.

"We involve as many as 1700 workers at the local, national and international levels," Febriany said. Of course, this is also part of the company's goal, Vale's goal now is to improve the quality of life and build a better future. "

He explained that increased production was also expected to have a positive impact on the communities around production, especially Indonesia, without forgetting the environmental sustainability pursued by Vale.

Febriany pointed out, "only when we create prosperity for all and protect the planet can we contribute to society."