As part of its commitment to openness and responsible governance, Harita Nickel continues to share the latest developments related to environmental management on Obi Island. A data-driven approach, independent scientific studies, and community-based sustainability programs form the core foundation that ensures industrial activity can coexist with environmental preservation.
Harita Nickel is also highly open to external research and coverage, including studies conducted by reputable universities such as IPB, the University of Indonesia, and the University of Khairun, as well as national media reporting directly from the field around mid-2025. These independent documentations collectively provide valuable insights into environmental conditions and community activities in Obi.
Openness to Independent Scientific Research
Harita Nickel consistently welcomes independent research conducted by academic institutions and government agencies. All stages of these studies—from methodology to conclusions—are entirely under the authority of the research institutions, without any intervention from the company.
Multiple studies from various universities and research organizations conducted over the past several years show a consistent picture: the coastal ecosystem around Obi Island remains in a condition that supports fisheries and marine biodiversity. These findings align with the company’s commitment to transparency and data-based evaluation in environmental management.
Further research in 2025 by Perkumpulan Telapak, in collaboration with the University of Indonesia and Khairun University Ternate, also found that fishermen in Kawasi and Soligi continue to operate normally with productive catch volumes. This is an important indicator that waters around the operational area remain stable and supportive of coastal livelihoods. The full reports can be accessed through Telapak’s official website:
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Kajian Lingkungan Laut di Kawasan Pesisir dan Laut Obi Selatan
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Observasi Universitas Khairun atas Dampak Lingkungan dan Sosial Harita Nickel di Pulau Obi
Commitment to Transparency and Global Standards
Harita Nickel is the first integrated nickel company in Indonesia and Asia to voluntarily undergo an audit by the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA), the world’s most rigorous mining standard with more than 400 ESG indicators. The audit, conducted by an international certification body, assesses all aspects of operations, including environmental management, biodiversity protection, and community relations.
The company also participates in the Responsible Minerals Initiative – Responsible Minerals Assurance Process (RMI RMAP) to ensure responsible supply-chain practices aligned with human rights principles and transparent governance. Both processes refer to global standards such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, ILO Core Conventions, and OECD Guidelines.
This commitment reflects a beyond compliance approach—an effort to exceed national legal requirements. These independent audits demonstrate Harita Nickel’s openness to external verification as well as feedback from communities, research institutions, and regulators.
Environmental Management and Marine Water Quality Monitoring
Harita Nickel applies data-driven and technology-enabled environmental management to protect water quality and marine ecosystems. The company has built 58 settling ponds to contain and treat runoff water before it is discharged into the ocean.
Water quality is monitored through KLHK’s SPARING system (Continuous and Networked Industrial Wastewater Quality Monitoring System), which streams real-time data to the government’s central database before any discharge is released into the environment.
Additional monitoring is conducted by accredited independent laboratories, with average results showing key parameters remain below quality-standard thresholds. Marine ecosystem assessments also cover sediment, plankton, benthos, and coral reefs to ensure ecological balance is maintained. In addition, Harita Nickel deploys reef cubes, artificial reef structures that support coral growth and create new fish habitats—helping regenerate marine ecosystems naturally.
Empowering Fishermen and Strengthening Coastal Economies
Social sustainability is an integral part of the company’s broader sustainability strategy. Through the SUTAN program (Nelayan Fish Processing Center) in Kawasi and Soligi, Harita Nickel supports fishermen in increasing the economic value of their catch by providing fish-processing facilities, cold storage, and training in quality management and financial literacy.
Throughout 2024, the SUTAN fisher groups supplied 28.5 tons of fish for employee consumption, creating a stable and sustainable local economic chain. Beyond providing a guaranteed market for the fishers, the program also involves the active participation of fishers’ wives in quality control and financial record-keeping, ensuring that the economic benefits extend across coastal households.
In addition to program and facility support, the voices of coastal communities have also become an important part of monitoring the conditions in Obi Island, which has been carried out consistently over the past few years. Several fishers interviewed by the media explained that they continue to go to sea as usual, with stable catches for both household consumption and sale. Their daily activities remain uninterrupted, and they note that communication with the company has been positive, particularly in the use of facilities such as fish-processing centers and cold-storage units that help maintain product quality and improve the economic value of their catch.
This approach demonstrates that fisher empowerment goes beyond providing physical infrastructure; it also strengthens capacity and supports the long-term economic resilience of coastal communities. These programs form an integral part of Harita Nickel’s efforts to ensure that the economic benefits of development are felt directly by the communities around its operational areas.
Independent international audits (IRMA and RMAP), open academic research, and coastal community empowerment programs collectively highlight Harita Nickel’s commitment to responsible mining practices aligned with sustainability principles. We continue to welcome further independent research, academic collaborations, and community-based environmental projects that can strengthen shared understanding of conditions in Obi. Various external documentations of initiatives and activities in Obi can be accessed through the following link: https://dariobiuntukindonesia.com/
As further evidence that marine water quality around Obi Island remain in good condition and continue to support productive fisheries, Harita Nickel has consistently hosted the Obi Fishing Tournament from 2023 to 2025. Participants have successfully caught various fish species in significant numbers—an indication that the marine ecosystem around the operational area remains productive and supports healthy fishery activities. Below are several related publications:
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https://ambon.antaranews.com/berita/273753/135-peserta-ikuti-turnamen-memanng-obi-fishing-2025
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https://www.tempo.co/info-tempo/obi-fishing-tournament-dan-upaya-menjaga-perairan-pulau-obi-203683