widespread deforestation in Indonesia due to a foreign-backed nickel hub - report
widespread deforestation in Indonesia due to a foreign-backed nickel hub - report 18 January 2024, 10:49 A.M. Source reuters.com January 18, Jakarta (Reuters) - According to a research by a non-governmental organisation, mining activity at a nickel industrial park associated with mostly Chinese corporations has led to widespread deforestation in Indonesia. As Indonesia, which has the greatest reserves of nickel ore in the world, looks to increase the value of the mineral by drawing investment into its processing and the production of batteries for electric vehicles, the paper raises additional concerns about the ecological harm caused by the nickel sector. A production target of about 600,000 electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030 has also been set by the nation; this is more than 100 times the number of EVs sold in Indonesia in the first half of 2023. The Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park (IWIP), one of the nation's majo