Nickel Mining in Indonesia

The document assesses the socioenvironmental governance of nickel mining in Indonesia, highlighting the high environmental footprint of laterite ore processing and the reliance on coal-based energy. It notes Indonesia's dominant position in global nickel production and calls for more stringent legislative frameworks to manage tailings and water.

• Indonesia's nickel production has grown significantly, with its global share increasing from 16% in 2017 to 54% in 2023, producing 2.02 million tonnes of nickel that year. The country holds the world's largest nickel reserves, estimated at 55 million tonnes.
• Nickel laterite mining and processing, specifically using high-pressure acid leaching (HPAL) for low-grade ore, result in a larger environmental footprint and more waste per tonne of metal than nickel sulfide mining. Furthermore, the process in Indonesia relies heavily on coal for energy, which increases greenhouse gas emissions.
• There is a need for more stringent legislative frameworks to manage mining-related issues, particularly water management and tailings, due to their potential for significant social and environmental impacts.

APA

Nweke-Eze,, S. E. C. T. A. O. U. (2026). Nickel Mining in Indonesia. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/nickel-mining-indonesia

Chicago

Nweke-Eze,, Sophia Esmail,Elena Cornaro,Ege Tekinbas,Carlos Alberto Ortega,Stanley U. Nickel Mining in Indonesia. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2026. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/nickel-mining-indonesia.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Nweke-Eze, |first1=Sophia Esmail,Elena Cornaro,Ege Tekinbas,Carlos Alberto Ortega,Stanley U. |title=Nickel Mining in Indonesia |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=5 May 2026 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/nickel-mining-indonesia |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{nwekeeze2026nickel, author = {Nweke-Eze,, Sophia Esmail,Elena Cornaro,Ege Tekinbas,Carlos Alberto Ortega,Stanley U.}, title = {{Nickel Mining in Indonesia}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2026}, month = may, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/nickel-mining-indonesia}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }