A roundtable with Indonesian stakeholders

Metals such as cobalt and nickel are under growing scrutiny by policy makers, regulators, industry, trade platforms, investors and civil society at the global level. These stakeholders seek assurances that raw materials are produced and sourced responsibly and sustainably.

The Indonesian government has set out goals including ensuring availability of nickel needed for energy transition and minimization of the ESG risks.

On December 1, we jointly hosted with the Cobalt Institute a workshop to discuss Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risks and the need for sustainable supply chains in Indonesia.

There are different challenges related to the mining and production of cobalt and nickel in Indonesia :

• Coal is still the major energy source used in nickel production;
• Waste management; Rainfall, the topography of the landscape, the risk of earthquakes;
• Mining activities taking place in an area with rich biodiversity;
• Erosion

Addressing these issues in view of the rapid growth of cobalt and nickel mining in a short timeframe is a major challenge for the Indonesian government. Indonesia is therefore reviewing regulation to adapt to the new situation.

Several companies in the region are committed to sustainable mining and processing and have already taken actions in the area of land rehabilitation, decarbonization and engagement with the local communities.

Learn more in the workshop report.