Harita launches new alumina and aluminum plant projects

By Dominikus

Harita Group, through its subsidiary PT Dharma Inti Bersama (DIB), has initiated the development of new alumina and aluminum plants at the Pulau Penebang Industrial Zone (KIPP) in North Kayong Regency, West Kalimantan Province. The project, granted National Strategic Project (PSN) status, marks a significant step forward for Indonesia’s downstream metal processing sector.

“This facility will feature both an alumina smelter and an aluminum smelter, with no mining activities involved. Insya Allah, this project will be environmentally friendly and will not harm the environment that we all cherish. We are currently conducting land assessments to ensure all requirements are met,” said Dev Hirlinda, a representative from DIB management, during a site visit to KIPP alongside 22 members of the North Kayong Regency Legislative Council (DPRD) on Monday, January 20, 2025.

The project is estimated to require an investment of between Rp 50 trillion and Rp 59 trillion, with operations expected to begin by 2027.

According to an anonymous source who spoke to Petromindo.com last year, this development is separate from Harita Group’s existing Well Harvest Winning Alumina Refinery (WHW) in Kendawangan, Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan. WHW has an annual capacity of 2 million tons of alumina and is a joint venture owned 30% by PT Cita Mineral Investindo Tbk (IDX: CITA), 56% by Shandong Weiqiao Pioneering Group, and 9% by Harita Group.

The first phase of the new project involves the construction of an alumina plant, with plans to build a comprehensive alumina and electrolytic aluminum production chain in subsequent stages. The final production capacity is projected to reach 2 million tons per year of alumina and 1 million tons per year of electrolytic aluminum, further solidifying Harita Group’s position in Indonesia’s aluminum supply chain.

The bauxite supply for the project is expected to come from PT Budi Dharma Inti Tambang, which holds an 18,760-hectare concession in Ketapang Regency. The ownership structure of PT Budi Dharma Inti Tambang is as follows: Lim Hariyanto Wijaya (50%), Rita Indriawati (30%), Lim Gunawan Hariyanto (10%), and Lim Gunardi Hariyanto (10%). Notably, this mine is not part of the assets of PT Cita Mineral Investindo Tbk, which is 60.64% owned by PT Harita Jayaraya, a company controlled by the Lim family.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak