Nickel for Electric Vehicles threatens key forests and the last nomadic tribes in Indonesia

Written on 22 June 2025. Posted in News

BY GARRY LOTULUNG FOR INDIGENOUS DEBATES

The rapid exploitation of Indonesia's renewable energy resources raises significant concerns. The Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park has become the epicenter of nickel extraction, a mineral deemed essential by electric vehicle manufacturers. On Halmahera Island, Indigenous communities in the northern and central peninsulas are increasingly being displaced from their homes due to deforestation caused by nickel mining. This activity also threatens the daily lives and water sources of people living near the industrial area.

Deep in the rural landscapes of Halmahera Island, in Dodaga Village, the O’Hongana Manyawa –  which means “People of the forest”– often referred to as the Tobelo Dalam, are one of the remaining hunter-gatherer and nomadic tribes in Indonesia today. This tribe has always depended on and protected the forests of Halmahera. Sumean Gebe (42), his wife Bede Yuli (39), and their two children move through the forest, creating temporary shelters from palm leaves and tarpaulin. As the head of his family, Sumean spends his days hunting wild boar, deer, and other edible animals, supplementing their income by collecting and selling damar resin (commonly used as a pictorial varnish).

Besides the Kali Meja River, other members of the tribe, like Etus Hurata (56) and Tatoyo Penes (64) continue their traditional lifestyle as sago palm starch gatherers. Despite their advancing age, they move with agility through the forest, using bamboo sticks and machetes to collect and process sago for their daily sustenance. Daniel Totabo (27) continues the traditional practices, searching for Sogili (Asian eel) in the river during the dry season, demonstrating the community’s deep connection to their natural environment.

According to Survival International, 300-500 O’Hongana Manyawa people still reside in the forested interior of Halmahera. The latest research from the Association of Indigenous Peoples Defenders of Nusantara identifies 21 matarumah (lineages) inhabiting the Halmahera mainland, with each matarumah typically consisting of 4 to 5 family heads. These tribes have never had direct contact with people outside the forest and have traditionally protected the ecology around them, guided by customs that deeply respect the forest and its contents. 

However, their existence is now under severe threat from nickel mining projects. With Indonesia holding 42.3% of the world’s nickel reserves, mining companies are increasingly encroaching on their traditional lands. Sumean and his community fear the consequences of continued industrial expansion. “If it continues like this, the forests in Halmahera will be destroyed,” he says softly. “The trees will be cut down, the animals will be driven out and die because their homes have been completely cleared. Then where will we live?”

Attempts to relocation

The government has taken a practical solution. It is recorded that since 1978, they have been actively relocating them by establishing several hamlets and villages as places to settle. In Dodaga Village, the relocation of this Indigenous community is also described by them as “Togutil Tribe Cultural Village.” In reality, supporting facilities such as health, economy, and education built there are inadequate, so they cannot live their lives to the fullest.

The nomadic and hunting habits that have been carried out since they were young and the ties of the O’Hongana Manyawa community to the forest are already strong. Even though they got land and houses in a village, they had difficulty adapting to living comfortably there. As a result, the community abandoned the village, which is now inhabited by immigrants. “The house is very hot during the day and very cold at night because it uses a zinc roof. It is different from a leaf roof that can adjust to the season. We did get a house, but maybe they forgot that We also must find our own food every day,” said Sumean.

Although they objected, they could not do much. Their lives will continue to be disturbed as long as the government has not followed up on the Constitutional Court’s decision number 35 of 2012 concerning customary forests which has been stalled in parliament for more than 10 years. Several institutions in Indonesia are now actively pushing the government to recognize forest areas that have been controlled by Indigenous peoples for two or three decades.

The Industrial Landscape

The Indonesia Weda Industrial Park (IWIP), operating since 2020, represents the epicenter of nickel extraction in Halmahera. Located along Weda Bay, this industrial complex emerged from a joint venture between state-owned company PT Aneka Tambang, Strand Minerals, French mining company Eramet, and Chinese stainless-steel company Tsingshan Holding Group, which took control of 57% of Stand Minerals shares. The area has been a projected nickel production site since the New Order era (1966-1998), with the mountainous region long known for its rich nickel reserves.

The industrial area has dramatically transformed the landscape. Satellite imagery reveals extensive environmental changes: dense green plains have been replaced by coal-fired power plants, nickel smelters, and extensive mining operations. Thick smoke billows from 12 new coal-fired power plants, creating a stark contrast to the previous ecological environment. Geospatial research by Climate Rights International and the AI Climate Initiative at UC Berkeley has documented the massive impact, revealing that nickel mining activities have destroyed 5,331 hectares of tropical forest and released approximately 2.04 million metric tons of greenhouse gases. Data from Eramet also shows that around 6,000 hectares of the total area of ​​Weda Bay Nickel’s 45,065-hectare concession will be mined in a 25-year period.

The industrial park is a massive employment hub, currently employing around 43,000 workers across two shifts. Workers undergo significant challenges, with long working hours and difficult conditions. One worker mentioned spending around USD6 monthly on transportation from their residence to the smelter. The working environment is challenging, with wet and muddy roads, and workers constantly moving between shifts, spending up to half a day in the industrial area.

The human cost of this industrial development is significant. Data from the Mining Advocacy Network (JATAM) recorded 42 fatalities due to work accidents from 2018 to 2024, with the number of work-related incidents involving 125 workers in 2022. Despite the potential economic challenges, PT Indonesia Weda Bay claims to be actively supporting the local environment and community by planting over 10 square kilometers of new trees to prevent flooding, offering economic development programs, and launching coral and mangrove planting initiatives to protect marine ecosystems. The project has been included in the National Strategic Project since November 2020 and is predicted to attract investment worth US$15 billion, highlighting the complex economic motivations behind such large-scale industrial developments.

Environmental destruction: flooding, water quality, and diseases

The ecological impact of nickel mining in Halmahera extends far beyond immediate deforestation, creating a complex web of environmental and social challenges. The Jaringan Advokasi Tambang (JATAM) has documented a dramatic increase in flooding events, with more than 12 floods exceeding one meter in height occurring between August 2020 and June 2024. The major flood in 2024 submerged seven villages (Lukolamo, Woe Jarana, Woe Kobe, Kulo Jaya, Lelilef, Sagea, and Trans Waleh) and completely cut off vehicle access, causing 1.670 residents to be forced to spend their days in temporary refugee tents.

Water quality has dramatically deteriorated in the region. Residents like Ahmad Kruwet and Adrian Patapata report significant changes in their water sources. Where they once had clean, fresh water for drinking and daily use, they now face contaminated water sources that are unusable for basic needs. Ahmad now must buy gallons of water at USD 0.6-0.9, while Adrian’s water has become smelly and discolored, rendering it unfit for drinking or even bathing.

The health impacts are equally concerning. The Lelilef Sawai Health Center has observed a sharp increase in respiratory infections. Head of the health center, Asjuati, reported that ISPA (Upper Respiratory Infection) cases nearly doubled from 174 in January to 345 in July 2024. The most vulnerable populations—children, the elderly, and mine workers—are particularly affected. Approximately 40% of daily patients are workers.

Agricultural and fishing communities have been devastated by these environmental changes. Farmers like Adrian have seen their plantations destroyed by floods and mud, with crops dying and soil quality declining rapidly. Fishermen such as Hernemus Takuling are forced to travel much further to find uncontaminated fishing grounds. Where they once fished close to shore, they now must travel up to 4 kilometers to catch fish of acceptable quality. The ecosystem disruption affects not just human communities but also wildlife, with endemic bird populations declining rapidly in the Central Halmahera region.

Global Context and Electric Vehicle Demand

The expansion of nickel mining is fundamentally driven by the global transition to electric vehicles. China, Europe, and the USA represented 95% of electric vehicle sales in 2023, with projections suggesting significant growth in the coming years. It is estimated that half of all new cars sold in China will be electric, with approximately 60 percent of plug-in vehicles being cheaper than their gasoline-powered counterparts. This increasing demand puts significant pressure on Indigenous Peoples.

Sagea, a key region in Halmahera, has actually been the target of several mining companies since 2010, with current mining business permits owned by five companies operating within the Sagea River Basin Area. Three companies are also known to be expanding mining concessions around Boki Maruru Cave, further intensifying the environmental pressures in the region. Tesla addressed Indigenous rights in its 2023 Impact Report, suggesting a potential no-go zone for mining system or a mining-free area that can protect the rights of uncontacted Indigenous peoples such as O’Hongana Manyawa. However, the company continues to source approximately 13% of its nickel from Indonesia, arguing that the energy transition would be impossible without these supplies.

While the expansion of electric vehicles (EVs) is often championed as a critical step toward decarbonization, the environmental cost of nickel extraction, particularly in regions like Halmahera, raises profound questions. The global shift to clean energy technologies, when pursued without strict environmental and human rights safeguards, can replicate the very extractive logics that have fueled climate and ecological crises. Moreover, the shallow location of Indonesia’s nickel deposits means that mining requires widespread deforestation, exacerbating the vulnerability of Indigenous communities whose forest-based livelihoods are directly undermined.

Resistance and Hope

Despite the overwhelming challenges, local communities in Halmahera are not passive victims of industrial expansion. In areas like Sagea, residents are actively protesting and seeking to protect their environmental and cultural heritage. In this sense, they are proposing the establishment of a National Geopark to preserve the unique geological and ecological characteristics of their region, demonstrating a proactive approach to conservation and community protection.

The struggle of the O’Hongana Manyawa and local communities has gained international attention. Organizations such as Survival International advocate for the rights of Indigenous Peoples and promote sustainable development. Mining-free zones, which protect uncontacted Indigenous Peoples and are already implemented in Brazil and Peru, offer a model for Indonesia. Meanwhile, local health and environmental professionals, along with researchers from Climate Rights International and Forest Watch Indonesia, are documenting the social and environmental impacts of nickel mining—crucial work that raises awareness and could help shape policy.

The future remains uncertain for the communities of Halmahera. Residents like Ahmad and Adrian continue to hope for government intervention and more sustainable development approaches. The situation in Halmahera exemplifies the global challenge of balancing technological progress with justice and sustainability. The destruction of forests, displacement of Indigenous communities, and environmental degradation raise critical questions about the true sustainability of the current approach to the energy transition. As those directly affected, residents like Ahmad and Adrian can only hope that the government can find the best way to resolve this problem. “I have experienced conditions like this for years, and maybe now I am used to it, but I still want to live a healthy and better life,” said Ahmad.

Garry Lotulung is a photojournalist and documentary photographer based in Jakarta. He focuses on stories about the human condition, social change, and nature.

Tags: Indigenous Debates