How a race for electric vehicles threatens a marine paradise

Victoria Gill

Science correspondent, BBC Information

The Raja Ampat archipelago in Indonesia is usually known as the ‘Amazon of the Seas’

Global Witness An aerial photograph of a group of small, forested islands in turquoise blue seas. This is a view of a small section of hundreds of islands that make up the The Raja Ampat archipelago - a group of small islands in the country's Southwest Papua Province is sometimes referred to as the "Amazon of the Seas". — The Raja Ampat archipelago in Indonesia is usually known as the ‘Amazon of the Seas’

Stark photographs, captured from a drone by environmental campaigners and shared with the BBC, seem to point out how nickel mining has stripped forests and polluted waters in one of the crucial biodiverse marine habitats on Earth.

The Raja Ampat archipelago – a bunch of small islands in Indonesia’s Southwest Papua Province – has been dubbed the “Amazon of the Seas”.

However mining for nickel – an ingredient in electrical automobile batteries and in stainless-steel – has ramped up there lately, in accordance with the organisation Global Witness.

In a transfer that was welcomed by campaigners, the Indonesian authorities this week revoked permits for 4 out of 5 mining corporations working within the area.

{A photograph} taken in December 2024 exhibits mining exercise on Kawei island, in Raja Ampat

Global Witness A photograph taken in December 2024 shows mining activity on Kawei island, in Raja Ampat. On the island that is the main subject of the photograph, forest has been cleared to reveal brown earth, dirt roads built for mining vehicles and a pool where water from the mine collects. — {A photograph} taken in December 2024 exhibits mining exercise on Kawei island, in Raja Ampat

In a statement published online, Indonesia’s Ministry for the Surroundings stated: “Raja Ampat’s biodiversity is a world heritage that have to be protected.

“We pay nice consideration to mining actions that happen within the space.”

However images – taken by Global Witness as part of an investigation – seem to point out environmental harm already achieved.

Aerial photographs present forest loss and sediment run-off into waters which can be house to biodiverse coral reefs.

International Witness advised the BBC that land use for mining, throughout a number of small islands within the archipelago, elevated by 500 hectares – equal to about 700 soccer pitches – between 2020 and 2024.

{A photograph} of mining on Kawei island in Raja Ampat, seems to point out sediment working into the coastal water

Global Witness A photograph of mining on Kawei island in Raja Ampat, appears to show sediment running into the coastal water. The aerial image shows a green, verdant island from above. Mining operations just uphill of the water's edge are in contrast to the lush forest - land has been cleared and brown earth is exposed. Downhill of the mine, brown-coloured sediment appears to be running into the clear, blue water. — {A photograph} of mining on Kawei island in Raja Ampat, seems to point out sediment working into the coastal water

Some conservationists, including the organisation Greenpeace, are involved that the federal government’s choice might be reversed by authorized motion by the mining corporations.

And one firm that operates on Gag island, which has notably wealthy deposits of nickel, has been allowed to proceed its operations. The federal government stated it might order the “restoration of the ecological impacts that happen” there.

Coral reef conservationist and ecologist Dr Mark Erdmann advised BBC Information that he was “blown away, and so completely happy” in regards to the authorities’s choice to revoke the mining permits.

“That is the worldwide epicenter of marine biodiversity,” he advised BBC Information.

Dr Erdmann has labored in Raja Ampat for greater than 20 years and helped arrange the community of marine protected areas there. He is likely one of the founders of a shark rewilding venture, referred to as Reshark, based mostly within the area.

He added: “It was a voice of concern from the Indonesian folks that made the federal government concentrate.”

However this ecological controversy is an instance of how the demand for the metals wanted to energy battery expertise – for electrical vehicles and different low carbon vitality sources – can harm the surroundings.

Due to the biodiversity of its coral reefs, the Raja Ampat is a hotspot for diving

Global Witness The underwater image shows a rich, colourful coral reef. There are corals of different shades of pink, yellow and greenish blue in the foreground, with a bright orange fish seeming to nibble on one of the corals. Multiple tropical fish are swimming in bright blue water in the background. — Due to the biodiversity of its coral reefs, the Raja Ampat is a hotspot for diving

Indonesia now accounts for greater than half of the world’s nickel mine manufacturing, in accordance with a report last year by the Institute for Power Economics and Monetary Evaluation.

And whereas the sweetness and biodiversity of the Raja Ampat has drawn consideration to mining exercise there, mining has been linked to ecological harm elsewhere too.

A 2024 study by Forest Watch Indonesia discovered a hyperlink between the lack of forests related to mining exercise and elevated native flooding and landslides.

Underwater photographs present sediment on the reefs across the islands

Global Witness An underwater photograph shows brown sediment covering rocks and corals on the coast of a small island in Indonesia. Campaigners say this is pollution from mining - sediment run-off that is harming marine life. The water looks brown and cloudy, in contrast to the clear blue water in the previous picture. — Underwater photographs present sediment on the reefs across the islands

Rising demand for so-called important minerals is shaping financial selections around the globe. It was the driving power for President Trump’s latest government order to jumpstart the mining of metallic nodules from the deep sea in worldwide waters. It’s a move that China has called illegal.

Dr Erdmann identified that balancing financial development with environmental safety was a specific dilemma for Indonesia. “It has a whole lot of nickel – someway, a few of it should come out of the bottom,” he stated.

Dr Michaela Guo Ying Lo, from the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (Cube) and the College of Kent, led a study in 2024 of the impression of mining on native communities in Sulawesi. The massive Indonesian island has a lot of the nation’s nickel deposits.

The analysis confirmed that mining exercise diminished poverty barely, however that there was vital “worsening of environmental well-being” together with elevated native water and air air pollution.

“Indonesia is positioning itself globally within the nickel market,” Dr Lo advised BBC Information. “However it’s necessary to not overlook what’s taking place domestically.”

Native activists say mining exercise is harming farming and fishing livelihoods

Global Witness Three men, all environmental activists in Indonesia, sit in a small boat and explore the islands in Indonesia's Raja Ampat. Lush forests of the small islands can be seen in the background. — Native activists say mining exercise is harming farming and fishing livelihoods

Imam Shofwan, an environmental campaigner from an organisation referred to as Jatam, based mostly in Jakarta, advised BBC Information: “They are saying nickel is an answer to the local weather disaster. However it’s inflicting deforestation and destroying farmland.”

He additionally identified to the BBC that low-lying coastal areas, the place some nickel deposits are discovered, are a few of the locations most susceptible to the consequences of local weather change, together with rising sea ranges.

Dr Erdmann commented: “The nickel dilemma is a horrible one.

“Mining is all the time going to be environmentally impactful and all of us are likely to suppose that electrification is a good suggestion. However what’s the acceptable harm that we’re keen to see?”

The BBC contacted the Indonesian authorities for remark, however didn’t obtain a reply.