nickel mining
Environmental and human rights concerns arise from Chinese-backed nickel mining in Indonesia
A report highlights severe environmental and Indigenous rights violations by a Chinese-backed nickel industrial project in Indonesia, escalating tensions in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain.
In short:
- The U.S.-based Climate Rights International (CRI) accuses the Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park, funded by China, of significant environmental damage and rights abuses in Maluku.
- The report emphasizes the risks of Indonesia's ambition to be a key player in the global EV battery market, highlighting issues of safety, land rights and environmental degradation.
- Concerns include fatal accidents, deforestation, water pollution, and inadequate compensation for land taken from local residents.
Key quote:
“The lack of meaningful government oversight of the nickel industry as demonstrated in our report is a serious cause for concern.”
— Krista Shennum, researcher at CRI
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Report outlines cost of Indonesia’s EV dream as Chinese-funded nickel plants linked to pollution, ‘land grabbing’
A report has accused a Chinese-funded industrial estate of causing ‘significant’ environmental destruction and violating the rights of indigenous people.
Swiss mining firm backs court's land rights decision in Guatemala
The Switzerland-based Solway Investment Group supports a recent court ruling that mandates Guatemala to acknowledge the property rights of an Indigenous community.
In short:
- The Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled against Guatemala, asserting the rights of the Indigenous Q’eqchi’ people over mining lands.
- Guatemala is instructed to legislate for Indigenous property recognition and start awarding land titles to the Agua Caliente community within six months.
- Solway, which acquired local mining companies in 2011, pledges to assist the Guatemalan government in respecting the court's decision and the rights of the Indigenous community.
Key quote:
“We will support the efforts of the Guatemalan government to conduct discussions with (the) Agua Caliente community as the court ruling stipulates.”
— Statement from Solway Investment Group
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Indonesian women's livelihoods upended by electric vehicle industry expansion
In Indonesia's quest to dominate the electric vehicle market, Sulawesi women report losing their farms for nickel mining, crucial for battery production.
In short:
- Sulawesi's pepper farmers, predominantly women, face land seizures as Indonesia accelerates nickel mining for electric vehicle batteries.
- The loss of land not only disrupts traditional farming but also poses significant economic and social challenges for local communities.
- Despite Indonesia's electric vehicle ambitions, the environmental and human costs raise critical questions about sustainable development.
Key quote:
"If we weren't evicted, we could have still earned millions of rupiahs. We're not rich people, but it's enough to cover our daily living costs."
— Masita, affected farmer in East Luwu
Why this matters:
This story highlights the complex intersection of environmental progress and human rights. While Indonesia's push toward electric vehicles marks a step toward sustainable energy, it also underscores the need for ethical and equitable resource extraction. How can we balance technological advancement with the protection of local communities and their livelihoods?
In push to mine for minerals, clean energy advocates ask what going green really means
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Nickel miners, environmentalists learn to live together in Michigan
In Michigan's Upper Peninsula, a unique partnership between a multinational mining giant, Rio Tinto, and a local environmental group, the Superior Watershed Partnership, has emerged, demonstrating a collaborative approach to mining nickel while maintaining environmental integrity, a significant development as the demand for clean-energy metals like nickel increases globally.
Red floods near giant Indonesia nickel mine blight farms and fishing grounds
Farming communities in the shadow of Sulawesi’s giant Pomalaa nickel mining area say their fields have been flooded with red water, possibly laterite waste from the mining operations.
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In Indonesian mining region, the EV boom takes a heavy toll
The green electric vehicle revolution has a decidedly dirty side, and the Winner of the 2022 Yale Environment 360 Film Contest — “From Dreams to Dust” — vividly tells the story of the high cost of nickel mining through the life of an Indonesian mine worker.
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