Jakarta hopes the industry is the ticket to becoming a developed nation. But there are fears the toll on the environment – and people’s lives – will be too high
tanding chest-deep in the Molucca Sea, just outside the billowing smokestacks of the world’s largest nickel industry, Upin adjusts his mask and dives. Members of his people, the Bajau, have been known to stay underwater for more than 10 minutes but Upin resurfaces shortly. He hauls a rugged disc of metal over the side of his dugout canoe.
Today this is the home of about 200 smelters and 200,000 factory workers – and there could be more to come. As demand soars for nickel to power batteries and electric vehicles, Jakarta banks on the industry being its ticket to becoming a developed nation by 2045. In Upin’s village, Kurisa, on the eastern shore of Sulawesi, the air is pungent with the smell of metal. A smelter flanks the settlement on one side and a coal power plant on the other.
Muhammar Taufik, Coordinator at the fair and sustainable mining advocacy group JATAM in Central Sulawesi.Juhardi sits outside his house in Kurisa, grappling with pieces of plastic pipe. He woke up after a night shift at the factory to find the water supply cut off. This is not uncommon.Water samples from a range of locations along the coast confirm high levels of heavy metals stemming from the mines and refineries.
Many inhabitants in the region have been bought out from their land. Others tell stories of being forced away. The inhabitants of Kurisa live in stilt houses over the water and don’t hold any land titles. Lacking other opportunities, those young and healthy enough have taken up jobs in the factories. Juhardi describes the work as tough, with scant security precautions.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Cheap hack to get into $250,000 sports carLexus is offering used car owners the chance to get behind the wheel of a high-end luxury car.
Read more »
‘Cheap’: Woman’s huge rant against couplesA woman has hit out at couples, labelling them cheap, but not everyone agrees with her assessment.
Read more »
Ford delays big electric SUV to focus on cheap, small electric ute, SUV7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
Tasmanian AFL club launches dirt-cheap $10 membership offer ahead of official launch7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
The cheap way to holiday in Italy is charming and unpretentiousAs far as accommodation options go, Italian farm stays are brimming with charm and regional character.
Read more »
Why investors shouldn’t buy assets just because they’re cheapUnderpriced opportunities are either the result of short-term dislocation or fundamental concerns. It’s important to know which of these forces are at play.
Read more »