The archipelagic country, which holds the world’s largest nickel reserve, is moving to become a global benchmark for climate-aligned critical mineral production that is built on integrity, transparency and strong environmental governance.

Indonesia’s commitment is exemplified by PT Vale Indonesia Tbk, which is part of state-owned holding company Mining Industry Indonesia (MIND ID) and a leading force in responsible nickel development.

Leading by example

PT Vale’s commitment to operational sustainability is underscored by its distinction of being among the 15 lowest-risk diversified mining companies in the world, according to Sustainalytics’ ESG Risk Ratings, which assesses a company’s exposure to industry-specific risks in environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance.

Just days before COP30, PT Vale announced the strongest ESG performance in its history with an ESG risk score of 23.7, improving dramatically from 30.5 in less than a year.

This improvement has been verified independently through the AA1000 Assurance Standard for sustainability, which covers areas such as climate action, biodiversity, safety performance, inclusive employment and responsible mine closure.

PT Vale president director and CEO Bernardus Irmanto said the milestone reflected a deep cultural transformation.

“This achievement is not just PT Vale’s, it belongs to Indonesia. It shows the world that Southeast Asian mining can compete globally not only in scale, but in principles. We are proud to contribute to strengthening Indonesia's reputation as a trusted partner in the world's clean energy future, where Indonesia is ready to lead by example,” Bernardus said.

“Sustainability is not a campaign for us; it is the way we think, work and build trust.”

In addition, PT Vale’s improved ESG score underscores Indonesia’s readiness to become a trusted partner for countries accelerating clean energy investments under the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA), the Mining Principles of the International Council of Mining and Metals (ICMM) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards.

This achievement comes at a highly relevant time, when global supply chains are under intense scrutiny over ethics and environmental footprint as the United States and the European Union accelerate clean energy investments through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the EU Critical Raw Materials Act, respectively.

With the world's largest nickel reserves, Indonesia is at the center of the global energy transition. Critical minerals such as nickel and copper are the foundation for the development of electric vehicles, renewable energy infrastructure and energy storage systems that will determine the course of global decarbonization.

Within this context, PT Vale's performance positions Indonesia as a reliable and responsible partner capable of providing low-carbon minerals to a market that increasingly prioritizes verified sustainability over mere production volume.

"As part of our sustainability journey, our team still has a long way to go," said Budiawansyah, chief of sustainability and corporate affairs officer at PT Vale.

"This achievement is not a finish line, but a marker of the progress we have made and the extent of our commitment to the community, Indonesia and future generations,” he said.

“Our commitment remains the same: to grow responsibly, protect what is essential and prove that mining, when done right, can be a force for good."

In line with the national agenda to enhance global industrial competitiveness, PT Vale continues to strengthen Indonesia's downstream and decarbonization efforts. The company's approach, which prioritizes transparency, international quality assurance and community partnerships, reflects a new generation of leadership in the mining sector: one that places people, the environment and performance on equal footing.

A shared vision

(Courtesy of Vale Indonesia)

During the high-level session titled “Emerging Technologies to Respond to Climate Change” at COP30’s Indonesia Pavilion, the Environment Ministry’s Hanifah Dwi Nirwana and Amsor, respectively the acting deputy for waste management, hazardous and toxic waste and hazardous materials and the director of hazardous and nonhazardous waste management, reaffirmed the country’s drive toward stronger environmental governance and international alignment.

Meanwhile, PT Vale’s Budiawansyah outlined that the company’s Sorowako operations were undergoing a significant technological transformation to achieve absolute emissions reduction of 33 percent by 2030 and a 50 percent reduction in the carbon intensity of nickel products.

This ambitious target, he continued, was driven by innovations such as heat recovery, off-gas utilization, ore dewatering optimization and electrification of processing infrastructure. These initiatives not only reduced emissions but also improved operational efficiency, and were projected to result in significant energy savings and carbon dioxide (CO2) reductions annually, he explained.

“Decarbonization is not a slogan; it is our operational mandate. Our message at COP30 was very clear: responsible and climate-compatible growth is a pillar of our strategy. Through innovation and collaboration, including a strategic downstream partnership with Huayou [Indonesia], we are committed to delivering low-carbon nickel that meets the expectations of global stakeholders," Budiawansyah said.

At the same session, Huayou Indonesia public affairs director Stevanus emphasized how the company’s technological innovations not only improved operational efficiency but also significantly reduced carbon emissions.

"We are implementing new technological innovations in our advanced hydrometallurgical processes: from waste heat recovery, which can meet more than 70 percent of the project's electricity needs, to self-flowing ore slurry, CO2 solidification, electrification and waste reuse. With all of this, we can reduce more than 2 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per tonne of nickel," Stevanus said.

He added that the PT Vale-Huayou partnership reflected a shared mission to accelerate cleaner and more efficient battery materials processing.

"By combining Huayou's hydrometallurgical innovations with PT Vale's ESG foundation, we are helping to position Indonesia as a global benchmark for low-carbon battery materials," Stevanus emphasized.

Industry insights from Harita Nickel further strengthened the message: Indonesia’s sector-wide transformation is driven by technology, circularity and climate ambition, as opposed to mere volume.

New Indonesian narrative

Across multiple discussions, Indonesian firms revealed that the country’s competitive edge was no longer just mineral reserves, but its commitment to sustainability and governance. Beyond mere attendance, PT Vale’s presence at COP30 marked Indonesia’s emergence as a climate-aligned mining power.

From hydro-powered operations in Sorowako, new projects in Bahodopi and downstream developments in Pomalaa to the growing industrial ecosystem in Morowali, the country’s mineral future is being built with both accountability and ambition.

The message from Belém was unified and unmistakable: Indonesia is not just supplying critical minerals but also shaping the future of global decarbonization.

Standing at the forefront, PT Vale proves that sustainability and growth can move forward, hand in hand.