Competing for Nickel in Sulawesi
Monday, 21 May, 2012 | 21:17 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Environmental damage in the waters off mining areas has been identified in areas of Sulawesi. Areas located near the beach are targeted by mining companies as they dredge soil near the beach to reduce production costs.

Air observation has revealed several mining points along the shoreline of two provinces in Sulawesi. The mining areas were found in Bahodopi in Morowali Regency, Central Sulawesi, and the cities of Lasusua and Latao in North Kolaka, Southeast Sulawesi.

In the three mining areas, the nickel-rich red soil has been excavated by heavy machinery. About 2 kilometers offshore, a massive ship capable of loading 50,000 tons waits for the delivery of nickel-rich soil from the beach.

“Nickel mines located near the beach reduce delivery costs,” said Syawaluddin Lubis, the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry’s technical and environmental Affairs director, during his visit to Soroako.

ANTON WILLIAM