Bloomberg Businessweek editor Matt Campbell discusses the dark side of Indonesia's booming nickel industry for EV batteries, highlighting fatal accidents and unethical practices. The investigation reveals the global impact on the car industry's green revolution and the challenges faced by automakers in ethical nickel sourcing.
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Quick takeaways
Nickel mining in Indonesia for electric car batteries has a deadly toll on workers, with accidents like forklift incidents and smelter fires.
The presence of nickel from these hazardous processing plants in the EV supply chain highlights ethical concerns for labor conditions and environmental impact.
Deep dives
Nickel Industry in Indonesia
Indonesia, specifically the island of Sulawesi, plays a crucial role in the global nickel industry supplying nickel for electric vehicle batteries. Despite economic growth and job opportunities, the nickel processing in Sulawesi has led to severe industrial accidents and unsafe working conditions for employees.
Environmental and Health Concerns
Nickel processing in Indonesia contributes to air pollution, respiratory illnesses, and environmental damage. The industry faces criticisms for its impact on local communities. Efforts to mitigate environmental effects are emphasized, but concerns persist about the long-term consequences.
Challenges and Trade-offs in the EV Industry
The demand for nickel in electric vehicle batteries raises ethical questions about labor conditions and environmental sustainability. Car manufacturers, including major companies like Ford and General Motors, are urged to uphold human rights and environmental standards throughout their supply chains.balan
Indonesia’s nickel business is booming. The metal is a key component in electric car batteries, but its success has a dark side: the country’s nickel mines and processing plants have a history of fatal accidents, with workers being run over by forklifts and burnt to death in smelter fires.
Today on The Big Take Asia, host Janet Paskin speaks with Bloomberg Businessweek editor Matt Campbell about his investigation into the mines. He found that nickel sourced from these plants are present in the supply chain that feeds virtually every major seller of EVs, and is an indispensable part of the car industry’s green revolution.