15 April 2025
M. Candra Wirawan A, PhD
Academic and Environmental Researcher
Academic and researcher at the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences and the Center for Environment and Sustainability Science at Universitas Padjadjaran. He has over 15 years of experience in research and international collaboration in coastal ecosystems and sustainable environmental management.
After a journey of more than 24 hours, involving various modes of land, sea, and air transportation, we finally arrived on Obi Island. That night was the first time I had ever set foot on Obi Island — and my first visit to North Maluku.
One side of the island was brightly lit under the dark Maluku night sky. The bright lights came from the facilities of Harita Nickel’s mining operations. Besides mining, the company also processes nickel into ferronickel, nickel sulfate, and cobalt sulfate.
Large-scale mining operations, with all their processes, always raise concerns about serious environmental damage to the natural beauty of Indonesia, particularly in North Maluku.
That morning, we from Universitas Padjadjaran had the opportunity to directly observe the mining activities. Giant mining equipment had indeed altered the landscape on one side of Obi Island due to ongoing extraction. However, we also witnessed how post-mining sites were being reclaimed and reforested after operations concluded.
Open-pit mines raise another concern during periods of heavy rainfall: large volumes of water can carry sediment that impacts the waters of Obi Island, which are rich in coral reefs and fish resources vital to the local community.
To prevent and mitigate these concerns, large sedimentation ponds have been constructed to ensure that water and sediment are properly contained, and the processed water from mining can be reused. Additionally, nickel slag—leftover from the processing—has been successfully repurposed as building material and even used to create artificial reef formations that have become homes for marine life around the island.
We then moved on to the newly built settlement in Kawasi Village, developed for the people of Obi. The village includes school buildings. We saw cheerful schoolchildren in uniforms, just like kids across Indonesia.
On another side of the village, the company has built an agricultural demonstration center for the community, featuring various vegetable and fruit crops. In addition, several round ponds have been established to demonstrate tilapia fish farming. Livestock pens also complement this model area, forming an integrated agricultural zone that also produces organic fertilizer.
To conclude our visit to Obi Island, various environmental care initiatives were openly discussed among employees.
That evening, the discussion focused on plastic waste—as plastic pollution was identified as a potentially serious problem if not properly managed on Obi Island. All Insan Harita—as Harita Nickel employees are called—on Obi Island understand this as a shared issue that must be addressed together.
Though there are concerns, the story from Obi also brings hope. Hope that is carried by many individuals committed to ensuring the environment can be enjoyed and passed on to future generations of Obi.
Salam Harita—every visit brings a new story. We will return to Obi to write the next chapter.
Go Top