Jakarta. PT Vale Indonesia, one of Indonesia’s leading sustainable nickel producers and a member of MIND ID (Mining Industry Indonesia Holding), has reached a historic milestone after recording its best Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Risk Rating to date -- 23.7, according to Sustainalytics.

The achievement positions PT Vale as the lowest-ESG-risk mining company in Indonesia while also securing a place among the top 15 lowest-risk diversified metal and mining companies globally.

The milestone marks not only a significant moment for PT Vale but also a broader signal for Indonesia’s mining sector: local companies can meet -- and compete with -- global standards for responsible mining, transparency, and governance, which underpin the world’s clean-energy transition.

Vale’s score improved from 29.8 to 23.7 -- a 6-point leap in less than a year -- reflecting measurable and meaningful sustainability performance.

ESG Excellence Anchoring Indonesia’s Global Mining Role
As a major nickel producer, PT Vale plays a strategic role in supplying critical minerals essential to the global shift toward clean energy. With strong ESG discipline, the company contributes to national goals while aligning with leading international frameworks such as:

- Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA)
- International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) Principles
- IFC Performance Standards

“This achievement does not belong to PT Vale alone — it belongs to Indonesia,” said Bernardus Irmanto, President Director & CEO of PT Vale Indonesia. “It proves that mining in Southeast Asia can stand shoulder to shoulder with global standards -- that growth can be achieved without compromising integrity, and that sustainability is not a slogan, but a system we apply every day.”

The rating upgrade reflects verified performance across key sustainability areas including energy and emissions management, occupational health and safety, labor practices, and community empowerment.

Vale’s mine-closure and land-rehabilitation programs are now fully aligned with global best practices. Its diversity and inclusion efforts -- from inclusive recruitment to the creation of an internal Diversity Board -- further strengthen the company’s governance approach. All sustainability data improvements have been independently validated under the AA1000 Assurance Standard, ensuring transparency and credibility.

Strategic Implications for Indonesia in the Global Clean-Energy Race
As the world’s largest holder of nickel reserves, Indonesia sits at the heart of the clean-energy supply chain. Critical minerals such as nickel and copper form the backbone of electric vehicles, renewable-energy infrastructure, and energy-storage systems -- all vital to global decarbonization.

PT Vale’s performance demonstrates that Indonesia’s mining sector can become a model for responsible growth -- meeting global demand without compromising environmental and social integrity.

Under MIND ID’s leadership, the achievement reinforces Indonesia’s vision to transform its resource-based economy into one driven by sustainability, transparency, and global trust.

“This improved rating reflects the values that shape our identity -- integrity, care, and excellence,” Bernardus said. “It proves that Indonesian companies can compete globally not only in production volume, but in principles. We are proud to strengthen Indonesia’s reputation as a trusted partner in the future of clean energy.”

A Turning Point for ESG in the Global Nickel Supply Chain
The rating upgrade comes at a crucial time in global trade, as the United States and Europe accelerate clean-energy investment through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and EU Critical Raw Materials Act. Supply chains are facing increasing scrutiny over ethics and environmental impact.

In that context, PT Vale’s ESG performance strengthens Indonesia’s position as a reliable provider of low-carbon minerals for markets that now prioritize verified sustainability over sheer production volume.

The recognition also reflects PT Vale’s maturity in risk management amid industry challenges. In recent years, the company has shifted from reactive compliance to proactive ESG management -- integrating sustainability across operations, from governance and community partnerships to biodiversity rehabilitation.

“Our journey is far from over,” said Budiawansyah, Chief of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer at PT Vale Indonesia.

“This milestone is not a finish line, but a marker of how far we’ve progressed — and how deeply we are committed to Indonesia and future generations. Our commitment remains the same: grow responsibly, protect what matters, and prove that mining done right can be a force for good,” he added.

With ESG Risk Rating improving from 30.5 in October 2024 to 23.7 today, the momentum confirms that sustainability is not an external demand -- but the company’s core business philosophy.

It reflects disciplined transformation and the belief that profitability and responsibility are not opposing goals, but parallel paths toward long-term resilience. Aligned with Indonesia’s agenda to strengthen global competitiveness, PT Vale continues to advance industrial downstreaming and decarbonization efforts.

Anchored in transparency, international assurance, and strong partnerships with communities, PT Vale is helping define a new generation of mining leadership -- one that places people, the environment, and performance on equal footing.