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Daily Express
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Indonesia allowing nickel industry abuses to go unchecked
Published on: Friday, June 06, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 06, 2025 By: AFP Text Size: Weda Bay on Halmahera island is the world's largest nickel mine by production. (AFP pic) JAKARTA: The Indonesian government is allowing environmental damage including deforestation and violations against Indigenous people to go unchecked around a multi-billion dollar industrial park on a once-pristine eastern island, a report said today. Indonesia is both the world's largest nickel producer, and home to the biggest-known reserves, and a 2020 export ban has spurred a domestic industrial boom. Advertisement Operations have grown around Weda Bay, the world's largest nickel mine by production, on Halmahera island as Indonesia exploits the metal reserves used in everything from electric vehicle batteries to stainless steel. Climate Rights International (CRI) said companies had caused a spike in air and water pollution and deforestation around the industrial park, accusing the government of ignoring their conduct. 'The Indonesian government is giving a green light to corporate practices that prioritise profits over the rights of local communities and the environment,' Krista Shennum, researcher at Climate Rights International, told AFP. 'The Indonesian government should immediately hold companies accountable. This could include civil penalties, criminal prosecutions, or rescinding permits.' Much of the park's nickel is sourced by Weda Bay Nickel (WBN), a joint venture of Indonesian mining firm Antam and Singapore-based Strand Minerals, with shares divided between French mining giant Eramet and Chinese steel major Tsingshan. An AFP report last week detailed how the home of the nomadic Hongana Manyawa tribe was being eaten away by the world's largest nickel mine, with members issuing a call for nickel companies to leave their tribal lands alone. Locals have reported a rise in air pollution from nickel processing smelters and rivers polluted by nickel tailings in soil brought down by heavy rain. Water tests by Indonesian NGOs AEER, JATAM, and Nexus3 Foundation in 2023 and 2024 'revealed dangerously high levels of nickel and hexavalent chromium, among other pollutants', the report said. '(Companies) are failing local communities by not making information about the safety of important drinking water sources publicly available and accessible,' said Shennum. Both WBN and Eramet told AFP last week they work to minimise impacts on the environment, including conducting water tests. CRI also said Indonesian and foreign companies in coordination with police and military personnel had 'engaged in land grabbing, coercion and intimidation' of Indigenous peoples and other communities. Local activists and students opposing the industrial park have 'faced criminalisation, harassment and smear campaigns', the report said. Weda Bay Nickel and the Indonesian government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But Indonesia's energy ministry told AFP last week it was committed to 'protecting the rights of Indigenous peoples and ensuring that mining activities do not damage their lives and environment'. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Indonesia allowing nickel industry abuses to go unchecked: Report
This aerial photo taken on April 18, 2025 shows smoke rising at Weda Bay Industrial Park (WBIP), a major nickel processing and smelting hub, in Lelilef Sawai, Central Halmahera, North Maluku. - AFP JAKARTA: The Indonesian government is allowing environmental damage including deforestation and violations against Indigenous people to go unchecked around a multi-billion dollar industrial park on a once-pristine eastern island, a report said Thursday (June 5). Indonesia is both the world's largest nickel producer, and home to the biggest-known reserves, and a 2020 export ban has spurred a domestic industrial boom. Operations have grown around Weda Bay, the world's largest nickel mine by production, on Halmahera island as Indonesia exploits the metal reserves used in everything from electric vehicle batteries to stainless steel. Climate Rights International (CRI) said companies had caused a spike in air and water pollution and deforestation around the industrial park, accusing the government of ignoring their conduct. "The Indonesian government is giving a green light to corporate practices that prioritise profits over the rights of local communities and the environment," Krista Shennum, researcher at Climate Rights International, told AFP. "The Indonesian government should immediately hold companies accountable. This could include civil penalties, criminal prosecutions, or rescinding permits." Much of the park's nickel is sourced by Weda Bay Nickel (WBN), a joint venture of Indonesian mining firm Antam and Singapore-based Strand Minerals, with shares divided between French mining giant Eramet and Chinese steel major Tsingshan. An AFP report last week detailed how the home of the nomadic Hongana Manyawa tribe was being eaten away by the world's largest nickel mine, with members issuing a call for nickel companies to leave their tribal lands alone. Locals have reported a rise in air pollution from nickel processing smelters and rivers polluted by nickel tailings in soil brought down by heavy rain. Water tests by Indonesian NGOs AEER, JATAM, and Nexus3 Foundation in 2023 and 2024 "revealed dangerously high levels of nickel and hexavalent chromium, among other pollutants", the report said. "(Companies) are failing local communities by not making information about the safety of important drinking water sources publicly available and accessible," said Shennum. Both WBN and Eramet told AFP last week they work to minimise impacts on the environment, including conducting water tests. CRI also said Indonesian and foreign companies in coordination with police and military personnel had "engaged in land grabbing, coercion and intimidation" of Indigenous peoples and other communities. Local activists and students opposing the industrial park have "faced criminalisation, harassment and smear campaigns", the report said. Weda Bay Nickel and the Indonesian government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But Indonesia's energy ministry told AFP last week it was committed to "protecting the rights of Indigenous peoples and ensuring that mining activities do not damage their lives and environment". - AFP
France 24
3 days ago
- Business
- France 24
Indonesia allowing nickel industry abuses to go unchecked: report
Indonesia is both the world's largest nickel producer, and home to the biggest-known reserves, and a 2020 export ban has spurred a domestic industrial boom. Operations have grown around Weda Bay, the world's largest nickel mine by production, on Halmahera island as Indonesia exploits the metal reserves used in everything from electric vehicle batteries to stainless steel. Climate Rights International (CRI) said companies had caused a spike in air and water pollution and deforestation around the industrial park, accusing the government of ignoring their conduct. "The Indonesian government is giving a green light to corporate practices that prioritise profits over the rights of local communities and the environment," Krista Shennum, researcher at Climate Rights International, told AFP. "The Indonesian government should immediately hold companies accountable. This could include civil penalties, criminal prosecutions, or rescinding permits." Much of the park's nickel is sourced by Weda Bay Nickel (WBN), a joint venture of Indonesian mining firm Antam and Singapore-based Strand Minerals, with shares divided between French mining giant Eramet and Chinese steel major Tsingshan. An AFP report last week detailed how the home of the nomadic Hongana Manyawa tribe was being eaten away by the world's largest nickel mine, with members issuing a call for nickel companies to leave their tribal lands alone. 'Criminalisation, harassment' Locals have reported a rise in air pollution from nickel processing smelters and rivers polluted by nickel tailings in soil brought down by heavy rain. Water tests by Indonesian NGOs AEER, JATAM, and Nexus3 Foundation in 2023 and 2024 "revealed dangerously high levels of nickel and hexavalent chromium, among other pollutants", the report said. "(Companies) are failing local communities by not making information about the safety of important drinking water sources publicly available and accessible," said Shennum. Both WBN and Eramet told AFP last week they work to minimise impacts on the environment, including conducting water tests. CRI also said Indonesian and foreign companies in coordination with police and military personnel had "engaged in land grabbing, coercion and intimidation" of Indigenous peoples and other communities. Local activists and students opposing the industrial park have "faced criminalisation, harassment and smear campaigns", the report said. Weda Bay Nickel and the Indonesian government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But Indonesia's energy ministry told AFP last week it was committed to "protecting the rights of Indigenous peoples and ensuring that mining activities do not damage their lives and environment".
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Indonesia allowing nickel industry abuses to go unchecked: report
The Indonesian government is allowing environmental damage including deforestation and violations against Indigenous people to go unchecked around a multi-billion dollar industrial park on a once-pristine eastern island, a report said Thursday. Indonesia is both the world's largest nickel producer, and home to the biggest-known reserves, and a 2020 export ban has spurred a domestic industrial boom. Operations have grown around Weda Bay, the world's largest nickel mine by production, on Halmahera island as Indonesia exploits the metal reserves used in everything from electric vehicle batteries to stainless steel. Climate Rights International (CRI) said companies had caused a spike in air and water pollution and deforestation around the industrial park, accusing the government of ignoring their conduct. "The Indonesian government is giving a green light to corporate practices that prioritise profits over the rights of local communities and the environment," Krista Shennum, researcher at Climate Rights International, told AFP. "The Indonesian government should immediately hold companies accountable. This could include civil penalties, criminal prosecutions, or rescinding permits." Much of the park's nickel is sourced by Weda Bay Nickel (WBN), a joint venture of Indonesian mining firm Antam and Singapore-based Strand Minerals, with shares divided between French mining giant Eramet and Chinese steel major Tsingshan. An AFP report last week detailed how the home of the nomadic Hongana Manyawa tribe was being eaten away by the world's largest nickel mine, with members issuing a call for nickel companies to leave their tribal lands alone. - 'Criminalisation, harassment' - Locals have reported a rise in air pollution from nickel processing smelters and rivers polluted by nickel tailings in soil brought down by heavy rain. Water tests by Indonesian NGOs AEER, JATAM, and Nexus3 Foundation in 2023 and 2024 "revealed dangerously high levels of nickel and hexavalent chromium, among other pollutants", the report said. "(Companies) are failing local communities by not making information about the safety of important drinking water sources publicly available and accessible," said Shennum. Both WBN and Eramet told AFP last week they work to minimise impacts on the environment, including conducting water tests. CRI also said Indonesian and foreign companies in coordination with police and military personnel had "engaged in land grabbing, coercion and intimidation" of Indigenous peoples and other communities. Local activists and students opposing the industrial park have "faced criminalisation, harassment and smear campaigns", the report said. Weda Bay Nickel and the Indonesian government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But Indonesia's energy ministry told AFP last week it was committed to "protecting the rights of Indigenous peoples and ensuring that mining activities do not damage their lives and environment". jfx/dhc
Morocco World
14-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Spain's La Oliva, Laayoune Strengthen Cooperation, Push for Maritime Link
Doha – A Spanish delegation from La Oliva municipality in Fuerteventura arrived in Laayoune on Tuesday to explore collaborative ventures in tourism, commerce, and culture. La Oliva Mayor Isai Blanco Marrero led the visiting team during their official engagement. The delegation sought to deepen economic and cultural relations between Fuerteventura and Morocco's southern provinces. Following discussions with Abdeslam Bekrate, Wali of the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra region, Mayor Blanco addressed the press about their strategic geographical positioning. 'This visit aims to further consolidate economic and cultural cooperation between Fuerteventura and Morocco's southern provinces given their strategic positions, as a gateway to Africa for the Canary Islands,' Blanco Marrero told reporters. He discussed Fuerteventura's economic foundation in agriculture, maritime fishing, and tourism, drawing attention to the striking similarities between the Canary Islands and Morocco's southern territories in terms of climate conditions, population demographics, and available natural resources. The mayor articulated his commitment to fostering productive bilateral cooperation, particularly through the development and implementation of local and regional programs where mutual benefits could be realized. At Laayoune municipality, the Spanish delegates attended a comprehensive presentation detailing the commune's development initiatives and ongoing projects established under the new development framework for southern provinces inaugurated by King Mohammed VI in 2015. The session also clarified the critical role played by the elected council in managing local affairs. Mohamed Jifer, Director of the Regional Investment Center (CRI), provided the delegation with an in-depth analysis of the region's economic landscape. His data-supported presentation covered the area's productive sectors from fishing and agricultural activities to renewable energy developments, with particular attention to the substantial potential for green hydrogen production and its derivatives. Read also: Occitanie Region Becomes First in France to Partner with Morocco's Dakhla Jifer's briefing encompassed the region's macroeconomic indicators, competitive advantages, diverse land offerings, multi-sectoral project portfolios, and various structural developments shaping the territory. He also elaborated on the CRI's expanded responsibilities and its function in promoting regional investment opportunities. Both Moroccan and Spanish representatives stressed the necessity of restoring the maritime connection between Tarfaya port and Fuerteventura. According to them, this route would serve as a catalyst for commercial exchanges between Morocco and the Canary Islands, opening new economic channels across the Atlantic. 'This maritime link represents not only a means to connect two geographical points, but also a true economic bridge enhancing integration between the Moroccan region and the Spanish islands,' reported Canarian media sources. Blanco reflected on the profound historical bonds uniting the regions. 'Many of our island's inhabitants lived and were born in the Sahara during Spanish rule. Therefore, a deep human and historical connection exists between us, and today we seek to strengthen it,' the mayor remarked. Throughout their stay, the Spanish officials conducted extensive field visits to numerous socio-educational facilities, economic enterprises, cultural institutions, and sports complexes. These tours allowed them to directly observe the sustained development efforts transforming the region into an integrated economic hub. This visit follows last October's commitment by Fernando Clavijo, President of the Canary Islands, who reaffirmed his government's support for Morocco's Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara during a session of the regional parliament. Clavijo had previously declared during his visit to Rabat that his government fully aligns with Spain's policy regarding the region.
