Indonesia finds environmental violations in Morowali nickel hub
JAKARTA, June 18 (Reuters) - A nickel processing hub managed by PT Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) has been ordered to rectify a series of "serious" environmental violations, including the construction of plants on unapproved land, the environment ministry said on Wednesday.
PT IMIP built plants and conducted other activities on 1,800 hectares (4,447.9 acres) of land that were not included in IMIP's original environmental impact assessment report, the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry found an estimated 12 million metric tons of illegal tailing deposits, while air pollution in the area also exceeded allowed parameters, it added.
"PT IMIP must stop activities that are not covered by its environmental approval," Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said.
The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On its website, the company said it is committed to maintaining sustainable and environmentally friendly operations.
IMIP is the largest nickel processing hub in resource-rich Indonesia, covering a total of 4,000 hectares and has over 50 tenants, mainly makers of nickel products for stainless steel and EV battery materials, according to the company website.
According to the ministry, IMIP's total industrial area stands at 2,000 hectares.
IMIP counts giant Chinese steelmaker Tsingshan Holding Group among its shareholders.
The ministry said it will impose fines on the company, and police will also launch an investigation into the management of hazardous and toxic tailings in the area.
"We will order an environmental audit of the entire IMIP industrial area. On findings of hazardous waste tailings, we will proceed with a criminal and civil legal process," said Rizal Irawan, a senior official at the ministry.
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