Weda Bay Nickel: the world’s 1st nickel mine
Eramet has been present in Indonesia for over 17 years through its stake in the PT Weda Bay Nickel project on the island of Halmahera, to produce nickel and nickel ferroalloys. The Weda Bay Nickel (WBN) mine has been operated since 2019 by PT WBN, a company in which Eramet holds a 38.7% stake alongside Tsingshan, the majority shareholder (51.3%), and the Indonesian government (10%). Eramet contributes its expertise in mining operations, while Tsingshan operates the plant and the infrastructure required for production.
Ongoing dialogue with all stakeholders
Eramet started the exploration project on its own in 2006. The Group has engaged in an ongoing dialogue with all its stakeholders, in particular communities and authorities, with the aim of securing its social license to operate. To date, studies show that over 80% of the workforce at the industrial complex is from Halmahera or the North Moluccas province. The surrounding villages benefit from economic development associated with the project, both directly and indirectly.
In addition to maintaining a dialogue with the inhabitants of the coastal villages, WBN interacts with small nomadic groups, each consisting of a dozen or so people. Known as Forest Tobelo, or O Hongana Manyawa, they live in the interior of the island, and have developed lifestyles and cultural practices distinct from those of the other inhabitants. Many of them have visited the exploration camps from the outset of the project, and some still come to meet the teams today. Several anthropological studies carried out since 2010 with the support of international experts show that the Forest Tobelo do not live in coastal areas.
In the event of an encounter with the Tobelo Community, WBN has established clear rules for all its employees and subcontractors to interact with them in a respectful and culturally appropriate manner. The recommendation is that interactions should be kept to a minimum, and that communication should only take place if this Tobelo Community is open to it.
As part of the mine’s development on the concession, a new dedicated field study is underway in 2023. It is being conducted by a local anthropologist with specific expertise on these groups in Halmahera. This will help us to better understand the potential impact of the mine and ensure that we fully appreciate and respect these people’s way of life, in line with our Human Rights policy.
Bruno Faour
Eramet Indonesia Director
The development of our mining and metallurgical activities in Indonesia has demonstrated the importance we attach to employment, the environment and local development. It’s all part of the responsible mining we promote. We are now aiming to build a nickel and cobalt plant for the electric battery market, to meet the needs of the global energy transition.
Sonic Bay: a new plant for electric batteries
Because Eramet has access to natural resources and is committed to playing a responsible part in the development of electromobility, the Group has teamed up with BASF, a major German group, to plan the development of a hydrometallurgical complex in Halmahera, in order to transform the nickel and cobalt that are essential materials for the batteries used in electric vehicles.