{"id":209795,"date":"2024-11-14T15:41:02","date_gmt":"2024-11-14T14:41:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/?p=209795"},"modified":"2025-10-16T12:47:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T11:47:08","slug":"nickel-mine-exploitation-threats-to-sulawesis-natural-environment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/blog\/nickel-mine-exploitation-threats-to-sulawesis-natural-environment\/","title":{"rendered":"Nickel, forests and fishers: a story from Sulawesi"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sulawesi, the fourth-largest island in the Indonesian archipelago, is a sanctuary for rare and endangered wildlife. It is home to endemic species such as the anoa (<em>Bubalus depressicornis<\/em>), the babirusa (<em>Babyrousa babyrussa<\/em>), and the iconic maleo bird (<em>Macrocephalon maleo<\/em>). This rich biodiversity is increasingly under threat from the expanding nickel industry. In recent years, the island has witnessed a sharp rise in nickel mines and smelters, endangering its ecosystems.<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In this guest post and photo essay, freelance photojournalist Garry Lotulung delves into the pressing challenges facing Sulawesi\u2019s unique wildlife and landscapes.<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p class=\"has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6d4e33f71f7fb39161edb99fcf19cc58\"><em>Header photo: A view of fishing villages of Tapuemea and Tapunggaya in Molawe district contaminated by nickel mine on October 27, 2023 in North Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia (c) Garry Lotulung<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Indonesia is blessed with abundant natural resources. After timber, crude oil, coal, and palm oil, now there is nickel. The world needs renewable energy, in particular batteries that emit far fewer greenhouse gases than oil, gas, or coal. One of the key components of batteries is nickel ore.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Indonesia is the world&#8217;s largest nickel producer and has 15% of the world\u2019s lateritic nickel resources, the demand for which is currently high due to the manufacture of batteries for electric vehicles (EVs). The nickel business is concentrated on the islands of Sulawesi, in the districts of North Konawe and Morowali, where Chinese company Tsingshan runs the Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP), and in Morosi, where there are two locations namely PT Virtue Dragon Nickel Industry and Obsidian Stainless Steel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"background background-preset-secondary\" id=\"block_7c1f5ed3120ff87704ba935d5cefc758\">\n             <div class=\"dark custom-padding-top\">\n    \n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d26ab2eaf6a&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d26ab2eaf6a\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIAC6E1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Employees in traffic during the working shift change near Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) on February 8, 2024, in Morowali, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia.\" class=\"wp-image-209808 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIAC6E1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIAC6E1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIAC6E1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIAC6E1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIAC6E1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Employees in traffic during the working shift change near Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) on February 8, 2024, in Morowali, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d26ab2ebfdd&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d26ab2ebfdd\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI136A1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-209812 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI136A1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI136A1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI136A1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI136A1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI136A1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>A view of nickel processing plant operated by Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) on October 26, 2023 in Morowali, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d26ab2ec828&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d26ab2ec828\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NICKEL1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-209860 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NICKEL1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NICKEL1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NICKEL1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NICKEL1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NICKEL1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Chinese workers from PT Obsidian Stainless Steel who come to a makeshift market or to eat at the Chinese restaurant on the roadside in front of the smelter after their shift in Konawe Regency, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia on October 28, 2023.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>While large Chinese companies dominate processing, they are fed cheap ore by hundreds of smaller, mostly Indonesian-owned mines that dot the rainforest.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>In just three years, Indonesia has signed more than a dozen deals worth more than $15 billion for battery materials and electric vehicle production with global manufacturers including Hyundai, LG and Foxconn.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>On 28 December 2021, Indonesia unveiled a new nickel smelter in&nbsp;North Morowali Regency&nbsp;of Central Sulawesi. It has been equipped to process 13 million tons of nickel ore annually. Indonesian President Joko Widodo said that the new ferronickel-producing smelter is expected to increase the nickel ore\u2019s value by 1400%.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"background background-preset-secondary\" id=\"block_7c1f5ed3120ff87704ba935d5cefc758\">\n             <div class=\"dark custom-padding-top\">\n    \n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d26ab2edc04&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d26ab2edc04\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NICKEL3-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-209802 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NICKEL3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NICKEL3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NICKEL3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NICKEL3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NICKEL3-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The belching chimneys of PT Obsidian Stainless Steel, a nickel processing complex in Konawe Regency, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia on October 28, 2023. The industrial are powering the move to electric vehicles.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d26ab2ee0e3&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d26ab2ee0e3\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI136A1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-209812 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI136A1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI136A1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI136A1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI136A1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI136A1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>A view of nickel processing plant operated by Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) on October 26, 2023 in Morowali, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d26ab2ee8f6&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d26ab2ee8f6\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI04221-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-209830 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI04221-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI04221-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI04221-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI04221-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI04221-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dump trucks loaded with nickel ore headed to a jetty at a mining site in Molawe district on October 27, 2023 in North Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Industrialization has been Joko Widodo&#8217;s focus throughout his presidency, as he pushes to turn the resource-rich country&#8217;s main export commodities from raw minerals to high-value-added products.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Nickel, used mainly in stainless steel production, and now batteries, too, have been at the centre of it all. &#8220;Indonesia will become a leading producer of nickel-based products, including electric-vehicle batteries,&#8221; Widodo said in June, 2022 at the groundbreaking ceremony for an LG-led consortium&#8217;s battery material facility in the Batang Integrated Industrial Park, in Central Java province. &#8220;This is a golden opportunity to develop a green economy for the future.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>After sunrise in Labola village, I documented thousands of workers in using yellow helmets and dust-stained workwear pack its ramshackle, pothole-ridden main road. The mass of traffic crawls toward the Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park, better known as IMIP, the world\u2019s epicentre for nickel production.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>IMIP primarily processes nickel ore for stainless steel but now is increasingly producing higher-grade nickel for electric vehicle (EV) batteries.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Years ago, Labota was a fishing village; today it\u2019s been subsumed into a sprawling city centred around IMIP, a $15 billion, 50 factories sprawling across nearly 10,000 acres (4,047 hectares). You can see walls surrounding the industrial complex containing steelworks, coal power plants, and manganese processors, with its own airport and seaport. Built as a joint venture between Chinese and Indonesian industrial companies, it is at the heart of Indonesia\u2019s push to supply the electric vehicle market with nickel, a core component of batteries.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"background background-preset-secondary\" id=\"block_7c1f5ed3120ff87704ba935d5cefc758\">\n             <div class=\"dark custom-padding-top\">\n    \n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d26ab2ef9c5&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d26ab2ef9c5\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIB69D1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-209822 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIB69D1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIB69D1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIB69D1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIB69D1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIB69D1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Fishermen who are in an area of sea waters contaminated by a nickel mine headed to the sea to catch fish at Mandiodo village on October 27, 2023 in North Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d26ab2f00a4&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d26ab2f00a4\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI7D711-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-209824 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI7D711-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI7D711-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI7D711-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI7D711-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI7D711-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>A fisherman is carrying stingrays after catching an area of sea waters contaminated by a nickel mine at Mandiodo village on October 28, 2023 in North Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d26ab2f07b1&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d26ab2f07b1\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI300B1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-209818 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI300B1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI300B1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI300B1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI300B1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI300B1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Alwi, a fisherman, 78, sitting next to the boat fisherman at Mandiodo village on October 28, 2023 in North Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. Fishermen have also suffered from the impact of nickel pollution, having to travel further and further afield to find their daily catch. But fish are harder to catch in the deeper water and fishermen have to spend more money on petrol.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d26ab2f0f75&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d26ab2f0f75\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI9D261-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-209826 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI9D261-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI9D261-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI9D261-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI9D261-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI9D261-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Fishermen who are in an area of sea waters contaminated by a nickel mine pulling the net from his boat at Mandiodo village on October 28, 2023 in North Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d26ab2f165e&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d26ab2f165e\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NICKEL4-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-209804 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NICKEL4-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NICKEL4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NICKEL4-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NICKEL4-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NICKEL4-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>A fisherman passing through an area Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) on his way home to Fatufia village, Bahodopi district on October 26, 2023 in Morowali, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Fisherman struggles to catch fish due to pollution from the nearby nickel processing plant.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d26ab2f1ed8&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d26ab2f1ed8\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIA6551-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-209852 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIA6551-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIA6551-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIA6551-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIA6551-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIA6551-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>A view of fishing villages of Tapuemea and Tapunggaya in Molawe district contaminated by nickel mine on October 27, 2023 in North Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>In Labota village, there is also an Islamic school called Madrasah Tsanawiyah Negeri (MTSN), which has a coal plant operating just behind it. The student learns by breathing coal air, which is very risky for their health.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>According to a report by German policy lobby group Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung (RLS), the nickel-processing factories at IMIP pollute the air by spewing out sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and coal ash \u2014 particles that are \u201cfiner than beach sand and can be extremely harmful when inhaled.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>The agreement was announced in 2013 by Indonesia\u2019s then-president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and President Xi Jinping of China for the Morowali Industrial Park. China Development Bank provided a loan of more than US$1.2 billion.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>According to Indonesia\u2019s Manpower Ministry, IMIP had 28,000 employees in 2019 and 43,000 in 2020. That number has now grown to around 66,000.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Roughly 6,000 workers from China live in dormitory blocks, after the afternoon shift ended at 5 p.m., workers from China left the nickel ore processing complex or smelter of Obsidian Stainless Steel in Morosi, Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi. Some were dressed casually or were in uniform, while others were neatly dressed, and a few others looked shabby and covered in mud. They headed straight for a makeshift market or to eat at the Chinese restaurant on the roadside in front of the smelter.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts global demand for the metal will grow at least 65 percent by 2030, and EVs and battery storage are set to take over from stainless steel as the largest end user of nickel by 2040.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>The Sulawesi coastline, in the southeast of the country, has borne the brunt of environmental destruction from the mines.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"background background-preset-secondary\" id=\"block_7c1f5ed3120ff87704ba935d5cefc758\">\n             <div class=\"dark custom-padding-top\">\n    \n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d26ab2f30dd&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d26ab2f30dd\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI3EC21-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-209858 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI3EC21-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI3EC21-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI3EC21-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI3EC21-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI3EC21-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Dump trucks loaded with nickel ore headed to a jetty at a mining site in Molawe district on October 27, 2023 in North Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d26ab2f37cd&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d26ab2f37cd\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIF3B51-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-209850 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIF3B51-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIF3B51-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIF3B51-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIF3B51-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIF3B51-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The children play near excavators while gathering soil containing nickel ore near the fishing villages of Mandiodo in Molawe district on October 27, 2023 in North Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d26ab2f3ebe&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d26ab2f3ebe\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI8DB91-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-209854 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI8DB91-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI8DB91-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI8DB91-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI8DB91-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI8DB91-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Excavators gather soil containing nickel ore at a mining site operated by PT Hengjaya Mineralindo on October 26, 2023 in Morowali, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Here on North Konawe in Southeast Sulawesi, in total, there are three fishing villages around the mining locations. I saw the activity of dozens of excavators dug up reddish soil, loaded the soil onto trucks which took it to the jetty and unloaded the ore onto barges which took three to four days to the smelting factory, The nickel was headed north to the Morowali Industrial Park and some of the barges leaving the nickel mine were destined south, to the district of Morosi.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>According to data from the Indonesian government, about 50 nickel mining companies currently operate in North Konawe Regency.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>The small fishing village of Tapunggaya is home to the Bajau people, an indigenous group known for being brave sailors, formidable fishermen and reliable divers who live off the sea.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Fishermen have also suffered from the impact of nickel pollution, having to travel further and further afield to find their daily catch. But fish are harder to catch in the deeper water and fishermen have to spend more money on petrol.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>At Tapunggaya, a village\u2019s fishermen on the North Konawe where the site for mining, an old man told to me that the pollution has destroyed their livelihoods at sea. \u201cThere\u2019s no fish here anymore,\u201d says Alwi, a 78-year-old fisherman sitting next to the boat.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Added Alwi &#8220;Children also suffer from respiratory problems due to the very severe air pollution here, which is very disturbing to live in a place around the mining locations. The waste and pollution from mining have been killing us slowly.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"background background-preset-secondary\" id=\"block_7c1f5ed3120ff87704ba935d5cefc758\">\n             <div class=\"dark custom-padding-top\">\n    \n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d26ab300d15&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d26ab300d15\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIDA4E1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-209846 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIDA4E1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIDA4E1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIDA4E1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIDA4E1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIDA4E1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Aqifah, 8 (left), and Mitra, 9 swim in the polluted water at Mandiodo village near the nickel mining site on October 27, 2023 in North Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d26ab30148c&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d26ab30148c\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI987F1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-209838 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI987F1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI987F1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI987F1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI987F1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI987F1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The children play near their house at Mandiodo village near the nickel mining site on October 28, 2023 in North Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d26ab3032ce&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d26ab3032ce\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI9DC71-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-209840 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI9DC71-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI9DC71-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI9DC71-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI9DC71-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI9DC71-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Sinta, 9 years old poses for a photo outside her house at Mandiodo village near the nickel mining site on October 27, 2023 in North Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d26ab30429c&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d26ab30429c\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI414A1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-209842 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI414A1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI414A1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI414A1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI414A1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI414A1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>An elderly women collects drinking water outside her house at Mandiodo village on October 27, 2023 in North Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d26ab304adc&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d26ab304adc\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI30691-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-209848 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI30691-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI30691-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI30691-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI30691-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI30691-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The children play in the polluted water at Mandiodo village near the nickel mining site on October 27, 2023 in North Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d26ab305282&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d26ab305282\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIEABA1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-209834 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIEABA1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIEABA1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIEABA1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIEABA1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIEABA1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>A view of an abandoned school at a mining site in Molawe district on October 27, 2023 in North Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Other fishermen said, Now, the water at the sea has not just turned murky but often becomes so hot that it causes the fish to move away. &#8220;We have to drive the boat at least two hours away and probably bring home just two kilograms of fish after a long day at sea&#8221;, Mamat (32) told me during a visit to his village in late October.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>The coastline, once dotted with picturesque fishing hamlets, has been abandoned. Sandy beaches are discolored with a kaleidoscope of ore pigments and dotted with jetties where barges wait to deliver nickel ore.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Mining activities for EV battery materials leave deep scars on the landscape. In North Konawe, it has meant the disruption of local environments and traditional ways of living for local communities, who face their lands being transformed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Government data shows that in 2022 there were at least 21 floods and mudslides in Southeast Sulawesi. Between 2005 and 2008, before the proliferation of mines, there were two to three per year, according to the National Agency for Disaster Countermeasures.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>In order to mine nickel, large areas of trees are cut down and the land is excavated to create open pits. With the roots of the trees no longer present to stabilise the ground, when it rains earth is more easily swept away.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Besides deforestation, other environmental hazards of expanding mining operations include pollution of water streams and fishing grounds. Pollution risks are there because to transform nickel ore to battery grade nickel, complex and less conventional methods are being used, such as High-Pressure Acid Leaching (HPAL) which produces toxic waste.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Further, the potential carbon emissions from the expansion of mining operations are significant, considering that the smelting process is highly energy intensive and most smelters in Indonesia are powered by coal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>The expansion of the nickel and electric battery industry must come with the appropriate environmental and social standards that minimize environmental and human rights impacts.<ins><\/ins><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"background background-preset-secondary\" id=\"block_7c1f5ed3120ff87704ba935d5cefc758\">\n             <div class=\"dark custom-padding-top\">\n    \n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d26ab306650&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d26ab306650\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI96E81-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-209828 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI96E81-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI96E81-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI96E81-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI96E81-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NI96E81-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d26ab306d9b&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d26ab306d9b\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIDCD41-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-209856 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIDCD41-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIDCD41-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIDCD41-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIDCD41-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NIDCD41-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d26ab3074c3&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d26ab3074c3\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NICKEL2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-209862 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NICKEL2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NICKEL2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NICKEL2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NICKEL2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NICKEL2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Garry Lotulung<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Garry Lotulung is a freelance photojournalist and documentary photographer based in Jakarta. Lotulung has specialized in stories and about the human condition, social change, and environmental crises. Read more about his work: <a href=\"https:\/\/garrylotulung.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/garrylotulung.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>IUCN NL\u2019s work in Sulawesi<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-713d36b9c8144d6f2682e169a341e7ce\"><strong>IUCN NL\u2019s work to protect Sulawesi\u2019s biodiversity<\/strong><br>In collaboration with our partner organisation Allia<a>nce for Tompotika Conservation (AlTo), IUCN NL has been actively engaged in Sulawesi for over a decade. <\/a>Currently, as part of the projects <a>Forests for a Just Future and Bottom Line, our efforts are focused on the protection of Sulawesi&#8217;s forests and its endangered species, including the iconic maleo bird against nickel mining. <\/a>We do this together with our partners AlTo, Auriga Nusantara and other national and international CSOs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"background background-preset-primary\" id=\"block_dd61a3333a71df487e90e10297bc00bc\">\n             <div class=\"dark custom-padding-top\">\n    \n\n\n<div class=\"smallteam-members__name12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n\t<div id=\"team-members-block_6ed3e7168ced55be237fef00f1c30f26\" class=\"team-members team-members-block block\">\n\t\t<span class=\"anchor-id\" id=\"\"><\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"team-members__title\">\n\t\t\t\t<div>More information<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"team-members__body small-12 grid-x\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__item grid-x small-12 medium-6\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__image cell shrink\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/maartje-hilterman\/\" target=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__image-wrapper lazyload\" style=\"background-image:inherit;\" data-bg-image=\"url(&#039;https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2021\/02\/IUCN-Anonymous-user-icon.jpg&#039;)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2021\/02\/IUCN-Anonymous-user-icon.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/300;\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__info cell auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__info-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/maartje-hilterman\/\" target=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__name\">Maartje\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHilterman<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__jobtitle\">Senior Expert Environmental Justice<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__email\">Email:\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"mailto:maartje.hilterman@iucn.nl\">maartje.hilterman@iucn.nl<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__readmore\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/maartje-hilterman\/\" target=\"\">Full profile<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sulawesi, the fourth-largest island in the Indonesian archipelago, is a sanctuary for rare and endangered wildlife. It is home to endemic species such as the anoa (Bubalus depressicornis), the babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa), and the iconic maleo bird (Macrocephalon maleo). This rich biodiversity is increasingly under threat from the expanding nickel industry. In recent years, the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":209852,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[59,61],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-209795","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-story"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/209795","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=209795"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/209795\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":224332,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/209795\/revisions\/224332"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/209852"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=209795"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=209795"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=209795"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}