PT Vale produces nickel in matte, an intermediate product, from lateritic ores at our integrated mining and processing facilities near Sorowako on the island of Sulawesi. Our entire production is sold in US dollars under long-term contracts for refining in Japan.Since the establishment in July 1968, PT Vale has been operating under the contract of Work agreement with the Government of Indonesia to explore, mine, process, and produce nickel. The total area of CoW is 190.510 hectares.Product StewardshipOur main product is nickel in matte, which is an intermediate product used to manufacture refined nickel that has an average content of 78% nickel, 1% cobalt and 20% sulfur and other metals.Vale applies sustainable product development and product stewardship that integrate with the company’s business and culture. We pour millions of dollars into assisting product research and development and the exploration of nickel reserves.Our commitment is to implement best standards in overseeing the products we manufacture. From mining to packaging, we attempt to be innovative in the creation of a high-quality product.We apply Vale Production System, or VPS, in product stewardship. This involves the four main elements of the company, namely employees, operations, maintenance and management; and the three supporting fields of health, safety and the environment. This ensures that the product is safe for the environment and is recyclable.Vale’s commitment in product stewardship is to develop and make innovative use of nickel for society. Vale’s Product Stewardship Program is based on the following concepts:Nickel is a naturally occurring metal. Our role as a nickel mining company is to use the nickel provided by nature to generate products for use by society.Nickel is a material that can be recycled without degradation of its quality.Using nickel has significant benefits for the daily life of society.Vale is committed to producing and distributing quality products in a safe and environmentally sound manner.Stewardship in PracticeWe prioritize products that are safe for society and the environment. In 1997, our product stewardship processes and procedures became formalized. We did this in line with global trends demanding nickel producers generate safe and environmentally-friendly products.Vale has responded to market demands and is now a leader in the metals business. We are committed to minimizing potentially adverse impacts on the company's operations, products, employees, customers, communities and the environment.Public Education and ResearchThe key to product stewardship is to ensure that we inform customers and the public on nickel as a recyclable material and its uses.At the same time, we work in cooperation with other nickel producers and organizations to research and promote the uses of nickel, community and environmental health, the use of recycling and sustainable development.PackagingWe ensure that products are shipped as safely and efficiently as possible. This means packaging is the company’s priority.The company has developed strict packaging and labeling requirements. Following international standards, appropriate labels contain information for customers and documentation regarding the product.We have responded to customer feedback on improving product quality. We are aware that society’s need to use environmentally-sound products continues to increase. This has resulted in the continuous and forward-leading development of this company.Our final product is a step towards preserving the environment. We are committed to minimizing any impact on employees, the community and the environment that can potentially disadvantage company operations and production.MarketingThe unique market for nickel in matte means we have no competition with other nickel producers in Indonesia. However, we are against unhealthy business practices.We have also successfully maintained accreditation status from the National Accreditation Committee (KAN) for meeting the ISO 9001 and ISO 17025 standards of product quality. For this reason, we are permitted to use KAN logos to guarantee for our customers the quality of each analysis certificate.