From paradise to pollution: How nickel mining destroying Indonesian Obi island's ecosystem

In Obi, a once pristine island in northeastern Indonesia, life has been deeply impacted by the presence of nickel mining. Known for its natural beauty, the island’s residents once relied on its clear, fast-flowing rivers and springs for drinking water. But things began to change when the Harita Group opened a nickel mine.

Local resident Nurhayati Jumadi shared her concern: "The water tastes different now and sometimes there are bubbles. It gives us stomach aches. But I can't afford bottled water, so we still drink from the spring", according to German media.

A recent investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and The Gecko Project, in collaboration with DW, revealed disturbing findings. Thousands of leaked internal company documents show that since 2012, the Kawasi village has been exposed to systematic pollution caused by Harita Group, which operates a mining and smelting complex near the village.

The mine, run by Harita’s subsidiary PT Trimegah Bangun Persada (PT TBP), produces nickel for electric vehicle batteries. But the local population has paid a significant environmental price. Internal communications from the company reveal that hexavalent chromium (Cr6), a toxic carcinogen, has been contaminating local water sources. Despite strict regulations on Cr6, Harita did not inform the local population of the pollution, which has caused ongoing health risks.

The company’s actions come at a time when the global electric vehicle market has seen rapid growth, increasing the demand for nickel. In 2021, Harita expanded its operations in Kawasi, establishing an HPAL plant for processing low-grade nickel. Investigations show that the company supplies nickel to global battery manufacturers, some of whom supply major automakers like Mercedes-Benz.

Despite claims of compliance with water quality regulations in documents submitted for an IPO in 2023, internal reports reveal continued contamination. As Harita's profits soar, with over $1 billion in revenue in 2023, the community of Kawasi remains impoverished and struggles with unreliable access to clean water.

The villagers have never been informed about the contamination, and environmental organizations are now demanding action, including long-term health assessments and alternative water supplies. "If I had known that it was contaminated with cancerogenic compounds, I wouldn't have drunk it," said Jumadi. "We have to demand that the company act so we can get clean water."

By Naila Huseynova