The Impact of Increasing Nickel Production on Forest and Environment in Indonesia: A Review

Abstract

The history of nickel mining in Indonesia began in the Verbeek Mountains in Sulawesi in 1901. The finding of nickel and its extraction occurred in the Netherlands, making it the pioneering site for this ore. Also, the substantial rise in the extraction of natural resources like nickel through mining would inevitably profoundly influence forests, which serve as the core of the ecosystem for both flora and fauna. This study aims to determine the consequences of the growing nickel production on Indonesia’s forests and environment. It involves examining the alterations in the forests due to the increased nickel production and evaluating the broader environmental effects. The research method used in this research is a literature review. This technique seeks to analyze, assess, and interpret diverse research findings to examine them within the investigated subject’s framework. The research result of this investigation demonstrates that the escalating nickel production in Indonesia is detrimental to forests and the environment, leading to deforestation, degradation of habitats, and contamination of the air and soil. These alterations present immediate hazards to human well-being, such as respiratory problems and effects on agricultural output. It is crucial to evaluate and improve the methods used for nickel production and adopt sustainable management strategies to reduce the negative impacts on the environment and protect both the ecosystem and human welfare.

Keywords: ecosystem pollution, deforestation, forest management, nickel mining, water pollution