Indonesian nickel industry threatens women’s rights

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A damning new report, Busy Surviving: Women on Indonesia’s Nickel Frontier, accused mining, mineral processing, battery and electric vehicle companies of having failed to prevent unnecessary and foreseeable harms to the environment, health and human rights. 

CRI said the Indonesian government has created a permissive environment for abuses and failed to enforce Indonesia’s already weak laws. 

The report highlights the stories and experiences of women living near nickel mining and processing operations in two of Indonesia’s most prominent nickel-producing regions. 

CRI senior researcher Krista Shennum said: “Women living near or downstream from Indonesia’s massive, polluting nickel industry are facing significant burdens to their health, well-being, and livelihoods, all while receiving few, if any, benefits from the multibillion-dollar industry powering the renewable energy transition.

“When discussing ‘critical minerals,’ governments have become almost singularly focused on geopolitics and national security, but are ignoring the impacts on front-line communities.”

Ms Shennun added: “Women should not pay the price for the profits made by Indonesian and multinational companies.”

Indonesia is the world’s largest producer of nickel, supplying more than 60 per cent of the global share in 2025. 

Among other recommendations CRI is calling on the Indonesian government to urgently strengthen laws and regulations to minimise the impacts of nickel mining and refining on communities. The government should also halt the permitting of all new coal plants. 

CRI is also demanding that the country’s Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection immediately investigate the impacts of nickel mining and processing on the rights of women and children. 

It also wants nickel companies to take immediate steps to remedy water and air pollution caused by their operations and minimise environmental pollution. 

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