Impact of Nickel Mining on Indigenous Bajau Communities in Indonesia
A report highlights severe environmental and health issues faced by Indigenous Bajau communities on Kabaena Island due to nickel mining, despite a constitutional ban. The findings raise concerns about the ecological and social costs of nickel extraction linked to the global electric vehicle supply chain.
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A report by Mighty Earth reveals significant environmental and health impacts of nickel mining on the Bajau peoples of Kabaena Island, Indonesia. Despite a constitutional court ruling in 2014 banning such activities on small islands, at least 14 mining concessions continue to operate, leading to marine pollution, deforestation, and heavy metal contamination.
Elevated levels of metals like cadmium and lead have been found in local seafood and water sources, posing serious health risks including kidney damage and increased cancer rates. The report calls for an immediate halt to mining on Kabaena, stronger enforcement of Indigenous rights, and cleanup initiatives for affected ecosystems. The situation underscores the conflict between green energy needs and ecological preservation in Indigenous territories.
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