#nickel News
Indonesia leads global nickel production, used in electric vehicle batteries, but locals face pollution and ecological harm.
An investigation by Greenpeace has found mining operations in the heart of the coral triangle in Indonesia. Carmakers BMW and Nissan responded to Eco-Business queries but were unable to confirm if they are buying nickel from Raja Ampat; both said they will look into the issue.
The International Seabed Authority has raised concerns over The Metals Company’s bid to bypass multilateral oversight by seeking US permits for deep-sea mining in international waters.
A report finds OCBC – alongside other Singapore lenders – among the top financiers of Indonesia's Harita’s coal-powered nickel smelters. The bank's CSO says it is "not pragmatic" to expect nickel production to be fully renewables-powered.
#nickel Opinion
Manufacturing
The delicate art of natural resource diplomacy
Competition for critical minerals is heating up, with China's rare earth curbs in retaliation for tariffs from the United States in the spotlight. Effective resource diplomacy will require countries to exercise sensitivity and foresight.
Through recycling, R&D and diversifying imports as well as by facilitating a regional market for rare earth minerals, the dependence on the Chinese supply chain can be reduced.
Indonesia is among the 10 heaviest-hit countries by United States tariffs. Trade talks will mean balancing the US need for critical minerals and Indonesia's desire to develop its domestic processing industries.
Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam have a sizeable presence in the global REE supply chain – now a geopolitical focal point – but although they may have substantial reserves, their REE production levels are still lower than China's.
Policy & Finance
Trump’s Ukraine deal exposes a dirty truth about minerals
#nickel Press Releases
World Trade Organization (WTO)
New database on critical minerals trade launched to support clean energy transition
