Six major issues have emerged from implementing High-Pressure Acid Leaching (HPAL) technology in the downstream nickel industry. These issues span social, environmental, and labor aspects, leaving a “dirty trail” behind the global clean energy initiative that relies on nickel as a component of electric vehicle batteries.
Deforestation is a significant problem caused by the downstream nickel industry. Before undergoing the HPAL process, nickel is extracted from the earth, often at the cost of clearing forests. Over 2,400 hectares of forest have already been lost due to nickel mining in Indonesia. Additionally, another 6,000 hectares are at risk due to permits for new mining operations. Senior Researcher at Aksi Ekologi dan Emansipasi Rakyat (AEER), Arianto Sangadji, stated, “Deforestation due to mining activities occurs legally, not illegally, because of the Mining Business Permits (IUP) that authorize deforestation.” This was highlighted during the discussion and report publication on “HPAL Technology in the Nickel Industry: New Challenges for Indonesia’s Environment” held in Jakarta.
Mining activities are disrupting the biodiversity of Sulawesi. The deforestation caused by nickel mining threatens the habitats of five endemic animal species in Sulawesi, including the Bubalus sp. (Anoa), Macaca sp. (Sulawesi Macaque), Rhyticeros cassidix (Knobbed Hornbill), Strigocuscus celebensis (Sulawesi Dwarf Cuscus), and Macrocephalon maleo (Maleo Bird).
Nickel extraction using HPAL technology generates hazardous waste (B3). Moreover, waste storage facilities for nickel mining companies are located in disaster-prone areas. Central Sulawesi, for example, is situated on the Palu-Koro Fault Line, which has a history of seismic activity. Central Sulawesi JATAM Coordinator, Moh. Taufik, criticized this practice, saying, “The HPAL technology is being forced upon us. The waste it generates, if dumped on land, risks contaminating earthquake-prone regions.”
Coordinator of AEER, Pius Ginting, emphasized the need for scrutiny regarding the technology choices in the nickel industry, stating, “We need to critique the technology used in this industry because its impact extends to the environment.”
HPAL technology also requires high energy consumption. This technology is currently sourced from fossil fuel-based electricity. Research and application of lower-energy technologies, such as bioleaching, are being explored. The other issue involves land disputes between mining companies and local communities. Despite being a recurring issue in Indonesia’s mining industry, land conflicts have not prompted policymakers to adopt preventive measures. Currently, three land dispute cases involving nickel companies are reported—two in Morowali, Central Sulawesi, and one in Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi.
Labor issues also arise in this industry, including low wages, poor occupational health and safety systems, and unfair salary reductions without prior notice. However, mining remains integral to modern life, including nickel. This is widely used in everyday products such as stainless steel. According to M. Sonny Abfertiawan, an academician from ITB’s FTSL Water and Liquid Waste Engineering Research Group, “Mining is a necessity for society. Therefore, it is essential to implement Good Mining Practices through careful planning.”
He also highlighted the ongoing transition from fossil fuel-based transportation to electric vehicles, comparing this era to the shift from horse-drawn carriages to mechanized vehicles during the 18th-century Industrial Revolution, which requires significant adjustments across various sectors.
