MBMA expands HPAL capacity
PT Merdeka Battery Materials Tbk (MBMA) has signed definitive agreements with strategic partners for the construction of a high-pressure acid leach (HPAL) plant. This HPAL plant is designed to have a nameplate capacity of 90 000 t/y of contained nickel in mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP).
PT Sulawesi Nickel Cobalt (SLNC) will construct and operate a HPAL plant located within the Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP), adjacent to the existing HPAL plant operated by PT Huayue Nickel Cobalt (HNC).
SLNC will source and process laterite nickel ore through a 20 yr commercial agreement with MBMA's SCM mine, starting from the commissioning date. An ore preparation plant will be built at the SCM mine to enable ore transportation via pipeline to the SLNC processing plant at IMIP.
The total combined investment for constructing SLNC (including interest incurred during construction) is expected to be approximately US$1.8 billion. Construction of the project commenced in January 2025 and is expected to reach commissioning stage within 18 months.
Teddy Oetomo, President Director of MBMA, said:
“Expanding our downstream processing capabilities is essential to our strategy for maximising the value of our extensive nickel resources. The SLNC partnership, supported by competitively priced debt financing from leading domestic and regional banks, represents a significant milestone in advancing MBMA’s strategy for producing downstream battery materials. This partnership not only highlights the quality of our company, but also reflects the Indonesian government’s ongoing support for the domestic minerals and processing industry.”
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