JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – The original Indonesian PT Petrosea Tbk (PTRO) has secured a major contract to manage nickel mining services at the Bahodopi Block 2 and 3 sites in Central Sulawesi. These areas are part of PT Vale Indonesia Tbk’s (INCO) mining concessions.

Petrosea is an Indonesian-based company that provides integrated mining, engineering, and construction services. Founded in 1972, it specializes in various aspects of the mining industry, including exploration, construction, and mining operations. Petrosea offers services such as overburden removal, mine development, ore extraction, transportation, and the construction of related infrastructure. The company works with major players in the mining sector, such as Vale Indonesia and other large mining corporations, and is part of the conglomerate controlled by Prajogo Pangestu through PT Petrindo Jaya Kreasi Tbk (CUAN).

This was confirmed by Vale Indonesia’s Corporate Secretary, Wiwik Wahyuni, in a statement responding to a clarification request from the Indonesia Stock Exchange. She explained that PTRO won the tender for mining services in the Bahodopi Blocks 2 and 3 following a transparent and governance-compliant bidding process. The next step will involve both parties signing the contract.

“Both PT Vale and PTRO are finalizing the contract, which is expected to be completed by March 2025,” Wiwik said in a disclosure on January 15, 2025.

The value of this mining services contract is estimated at USD 1 billion (approximately IDR 16 trillion), with a duration of 10 years. The scope includes overburden removal, nickel ore extraction and transportation, as well as related infrastructure development for the mining operations.

“This contract will bolster our business operations by increasing nickel ore production from the Bahodopi Blocks 2 and 3, complementing the ongoing operations at the Sorowako Block,” Wiwik added.

Meanwhile, Petrosea’s Corporate Secretary, Anto Broto, confirmed that this nickel mining project with Vale is one of the company’s potential projects currently in the final stages of contract negotiation.

Vale Indonesia, now part of the state-owned mining holding company MIND ID, controls INCO along with Vale Canada Limited, holding a 34% stake. PTRO, on the other hand, is part of the business conglomerate controlled by Prajogo Pangestu, through PT Petrindo Jaya Kreasi Tbk (CUAN).

At the close of trading on January 15, 2025, the shares of both INCO and PTRO saw declines. INCO’s stock dropped 0.82% to IDR 3,650 per share, while PTRO fell 3.69% to IDR 3,390 per share. (Uki Ruknuddin)