NCKL eyes extra 185,000 tonnes of nickel processing capacity by 2026
JAKARTA — Through its third RKEF smelter, PT Trimegah Bangun Persada Tbk (NCKL), also known as Harita Nickel, is targeting an increase in nickel processing capacity of up to 185,000 tonnes of nickel in ferronickel (TNi) per year by early 2026.
The company’s third RKEF facility is operated by its associate entity, PT Karunia Permai Sentosa (KPS), which is expected to have a total of 12 production lines by early 2026.
According to Roy Arman Arfandy, President Director of NCKL, by the end of March 2025, the KPS RKEF project had reached a production capacity of 60,000 TNi, supported by four fully operational production lines.
Furthermore, NCKL’s Finance Director Suparsin Darmo Liwan stated that the remaining eight production lines will be developed in line with the company’s plans.
“In Q3–Q4, the second phase of KPS construction will begin. It will take 3–4 months to reach full capacity. The next phase will begin in early 2026,” said Suparsin at NCKL’s public expose on Tuesday (18/6).
According to IDNFinancials.com, in addition to KPS, NCKL also operates two other RKEF smelters at full capacity, managed by its subsidiaries PT Megah Surya Pertiwi and PT Halmahera Jaya Feronikel, with a combined annual capacity of 120,000 TNi.
Suparsin also expressed confidence that the increased ferronickel processing capacity will support financial performance in 2025.
“This year, KPS and ONC will contribute growth, since in 2025, ONC will have reached full capacity and KPS already began production in early 2025,” he explained.
ONC, or PT Obi Nickel Cobalt, is NCKL’s associate company operating an HPAL plant.
Beyond nickel processing, NCKL is also ramping up nickel ore mining. PT Gane Tambang Sentosa (GTS), one of NCKL’s mining licence holders (IUP), is set to begin contributing to operational performance this year.
“In the nickel ore mining segment, we will increase production because one of our subsidiaries—GTS—is starting operations,” said Suparsin.
He acknowledged that the company’s performance is highly influenced by global nickel prices, but noted that nickel prices are expected to remain relatively stable throughout 2025.
“Nickel prices are more or less stable now. LME is currently at around 15,000. It had dropped, but we believe that was the bottom,” he added.
At that price level, Suparsin said, NCKL, as a low-cost nickel producer, remains optimistic about its performance for the remainder of 2025. (ZH)