ASIATODAY.ID, KOLAKA – PT Ceria Nugraha Indotama (Ceria Corp) is strengthening its position as a leading green nickel mining and refining company in Indonesia and the Asia-Pacific region.
Its global recognition continues to rise after the company received the Nickel and Cobalt Mining Service Company of The Year in APAC 2025 award from Metal and Mining Review in mid-September 2025.
Metal and Mining Review is a leading US- and Europe-based business and technology magazine specializing in the metals and mining industry.
Today, Ceria Corp has become a key player in the global clean energy supply chain. The company supplies green nickel and premium low-carbon ferronickel produced at its Merah Putih Smelter in Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, to markets across the United States, Europe, Japan, and South Korea.
“Our mission goes beyond mining. We are building a sustainable ecosystem where Indonesia’s natural resources drive global innovation while creating real value for people and the planet,” said Imelda Kiagoes, Corporate Secretary of Ceria Corp, on Thursday, October 7, 2025.
Imelda expressed her appreciation for the award, stating that it motivates the company to continue strengthening and upholding the reputation of Indonesia’s nickel industry based on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles—both nationally and across the Asia-Pacific.
Advanced Smelter Produces Premium Ferronickel
Since April 2025, Ceria Corp has operated a 72 MVA rectangular Rotary Kiln Electric Furnace (RKEF) smelter. The facility is capable of producing 63,200 tons of ferronickel per year with a nickel grade of 22 percent—far exceeding the global average of 11–15 percent.
Another remarkable feature is that Ceria’s ferronickel carries an exceptionally low carbon footprint of just 0.07 percent, making it one of the most sought-after materials in the international premium market.
Clean Energy, No Coal Power
Unlike most mining companies, Ceria Corp does not rely on coal-fired power plants. More than 90 percent of its energy needs are supplied from hydropower, complemented by wind and natural gas sources. All are certified through Indonesia’s Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) system and the global TIGRs standard.
Ceria’s RKEF smelter also adopts the latest rectangular furnace design, which is more energy-efficient, longer-lasting, and low-emission.
Green HPAL Project Worth USD 2.3 billion
Imelda further revealed that Ceria is currently developing a major High-Pressure Acid Leach (HPAL) project worth USD 2.3 billion (approximately IDR 35 trillion). The facility aims to produce 146,600 tons of Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate (MHP) per year—equivalent to 55,600 tons of nickel metal and 5,700 tons of cobalt metal.
Uniquely, Ceria’s HPAL plant is designed as a green HPAL facility with emissions of only 12–18 tons of CO₂ per ton of nickel—less than half that of conventional HPAL operations.
Commitment to Sustainability and Local Empowerment
Demonstrating its strong sustainability commitment, Ceria Corp is pursuing certification from the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA). The company also prioritizes local empowerment—65 percent of its workforce comes from Southeast Sulawesi.
Its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs are built on six pillars: education, health, economy, socio-culture, environment, and infrastructure. Ceria actively engages in land reclamation, mangrove reforestation, and the construction of sedimentation ponds to maintain water quality around its mining areas.
As a 100 percent Indonesian-owned company with no foreign involvement, Ceria Corp has been designated as both a National Strategic Project (PSN) and a National Vital Object (Obvitnas).
Ceria Corp’s presence underscores Indonesia’s ambition not merely to export raw nickel ore but to emerge as a major force in the global electric vehicle and clean energy supply chain.
“With the combination of green technology, low-carbon products, and world-class ESG commitment, Ceria Corp now stands as a serious challenger to the dominance of the global mineral supply chain—placing Indonesia at the forefront of the world’s energy transition,” Imelda concluded. (AT Network)
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