Communities Protest Nickel Mining in North MalukuCEFR A2
26 Oct 2025
Adapted from Hasya Nindita, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Maximus Beaumont, Unsplash
A grassroots collective from North Maluku travelled to Taiwan and protested in front of Walsin on Aug 5 to raise concern about nickel mining and processing. Walsin operates three companies in the Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) and the Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park (IWIP). The firm produces nickel pig iron with a capacity that reaches 300,000 tons each year and sells material to several Chinese companies.
After the Taiwan protest, Indonesian representatives met Walsin management, but civil society groups say the company did not give substantive answers. Walsin issued a written statement saying some information did not match facts and that it complies with local regulations. The statement did not directly answer public questions about workplace accident liability or pollution data. Local groups and workers continue to call for better labour and environmental protections.
Difficult words
- coalition — a group working together for a common cause.
- protect — to keep safe from harm or danger.
- protests — public demonstrations against something.
- communities — groups of people living together.
- environment — the natural world around us.
- harmful — causing injury or damage.
- culture — the beliefs and customs of a group.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How do protests help protect communities?
- What are other ways to raise awareness about environmental issues?
- Why is culture important for communities like Save Sagea?
Related articles
Illegal Well Drilling Worsens Iran's Water Crisis
Iran faces a severe water shortage made worse by unauthorized groundwater drilling by military-linked actors. Official silence has allowed aquifers to fall, forcing village abandonment and producing wider ecological and social damage.
Father’s microplastic exposure affects offspring health
A mouse study found that when fathers were exposed to microplastics, their offspring developed metabolic problems. Female offspring showed diabetic signs and researchers linked the effect to changes in sperm small RNAs; the work was published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society.
Chinese electric car makers shift to Africa as Western markets close
After price pressure at home and new US and EU trade barriers, many Chinese electric vehicle firms are moving into Africa for sales and assembly. Governments and companies plan factories, dealerships and incentives.
