Towuti, 9 September 2025 — On the eighteenth day following the oil pipeline leak incident in Towuti District, East Luwu Regency, PT Vale Indonesia Tbk (PT Vale) continues to demonstrate significant progress in its recovery efforts. The Company’s steadfast commitment to prompt, transparent, and accountable action is now reflected in both the resolution of community grievances and the restoration of environmental conditions.

Recovery operations are being executed in a comprehensive and integrated manner, encompassing upstream to downstream areas. The joint response team has conducted thorough inspections and clean-up activities along the riverbanks, ensuring that no affected zones are overlooked. These measures are critical to preventing the spread of contamination to ecologically sensitive areas.

The scope of intervention has been extended to downstream regions, particularly the lake area. Preventive actions have been implemented to mitigate the risk of oil reaching the lake, with routine inspections carried out to maintain waterway integrity and safeguard the lake’s ecosystem from potential pollutants.

To date, a total of 190 formal complaints have been registered from six impacted villages, with 48% of these cases successfully resolved. This outcome underscores PT Vale’s dedication to ensuring that every concern raised by the community is addressed in a timely and effective manner.

Grievance resolution is being conducted proactively by PT Vale’s dedicated Grievance Team, which engages directly with affected residents. One such case involves Mrs. Agustina, a resident of Langkea Raya, who reported concerns regarding water quality in her area. As a precautionary measure, the team advised her to temporarily refrain from consuming the water pending the release of official laboratory test results.

“PT Vale’s team approached us directly. The presence of the complaint post has made it easier for us to seek information and express our concerns,” stated Mrs. Agustina.

In addition to grievance handling, the joint team has intensified environmental recovery efforts through a data-driven scientific approach. Air quality monitoring has been conducted at several locations based on community reports submitted to the Complaint & Information Post.

These assessments are being carried out by environmental experts from HAS Environmental, led by Tri Wisnu Febrianto, utilizing a Portable Environmental Quality Monitor (EQM). This device enables real-time detection of airborne pollutants, including hazardous gases associated with Marine Fuel Oil (MFO) such as Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which pose risks to respiratory health. These proactive inspections are essential to ensuring that ambient air quality remains safe for residents.

As of the eighteenth day, it has been confirmed that odor complaints from households located near the river have ceased, indicating the effectiveness of the clean-up operations and mitigation strategies implemented thus far.

Endra Kusuma, Head of External Relations at PT Vale, expressed his appreciation for the collaborative efforts that have contributed to the recovery process.

“The progress achieved to date is a testament to the trust and continuous collaboration among all stakeholders. With 48% of grievances resolved and odor-related concerns in residential areas addressed, it is evident that our integrated approach is both structured and on track,” Endra stated.

Through the leadership of the government, the expertise of environmental professionals, and the active participation of local communities, each step of the recovery process is being undertaken with diligence and transparency—ensuring that Towuti’s environment and the well-being of its residents are restored in a sustainable and comprehensive manner.