On January 11, 2024, at 16: 30, the lateritic nickel ore slurry prepared by Huayue SCM's beneficiation plant completed its nearly 10-hour long journey, ultimately arriving at the energy dissipation station located in the IMIP Huayue complex. Post energy dissipation, the slurry was transferred to a storage tank, and then sent for further concentration in the HPAL process. This marks the official full-scale operational commencement of the Huayue SCM beneficiation plant and Indonesia's first long-distance lateritic nickel ore slurry pipeline project, following over two years of construction.

Spanning approximately 62 kilometers, the slurry pipeline originates from the pump station at SCM's mine area beneficiation plant, situated at an elevation of 530 meters. It traverses over the 615 meter peak along the SCM mine road, descends through the Lalindu River (240 meters elevation), climbs to 770 meters along the MDK mine road reaching the Baxing mine area, and then descends to the Bahodopi River. After crossing the Bahodopi River, the pipeline navigates through mountainous terrain along belt corridors and palm roads, culminating at the energy dissipation station in the IMIP park (around 130 meters elevation).

This engineering feat overcame numerous challenges, including crossing over 20 mountains and valleys, spanning two main rivers and several tributaries, with a maximum elevation drop of 650 meters, amidst harsh natural conditions and complex construction requirements. Throughout the construction period of over two years, the engineering team at the Big K park project displayed remarkable resilience, carving through mountains, constructing bridges over rivers, and enduring harsh conditions to achieve the pipeline's successful construction.

Previously, the transportation of lateritic nickel ore from various mining sites to the IMIP park involved barges to the park's docks, followed by truck transport to smelting plants, or direct truck transportation from the mining areas to the IMIP park. This method required extensive vehicle use, leading to significant emissions, dust, noise pollution, and carbon footprint. In contrast, the slurry pipeline from Huayue SCM's beneficiation plant to the IMIP park, characterized by minimal land use, no reliance on road resources, and absence of environmental pollution, epitomizes a sustainable and eco-friendly approach. The pipeline's highly automated and intelligent control system, immune to weather disruptions, significantly bolsters safety and reliability. The Huayue SCM's beneficiation plant to IMIP park lateritic nickel ore transport thus achieves a zero-pollution, low-emission, and high-safety standard.

The operational launch of the long-distance slurry pipeline from Huayue SCM's beneficiation plant to the IMIP park heralds a new era of synergistic, sustainable development between Huayue Company and the SCM mine.