Enviro News Asia, Central Halmahera — On July 12, 2025, the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH) continued its two-day working visit to key industrial zones in Central Halmahera, North Maluku, as part of its ongoing commitment to environmental governance in rapidly expanding nickel mining and processing sectors in eastern Indonesia.
Deputy for Environmental Law Enforcement at KLH/BPLH, Rizal Irawan, led a detailed field inspection of the Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park (IWIP), focusing on the tailings management system of PT Huafei Nickel Cobalt (HNC) and the operation of the coal-fired power plant (PLTU) that supplies electricity across the industrial complex.
PT HNC, one of IWIP’s major tenants, utilizes hydrometallurgical technology in its nickel processing operations.
According to recent data, the company produces over 3.4 million tons of tailings annually, classified as hazardous and toxic waste (B3), code B416.
The proximity of the tailings storage to surface water drainage channels raises concerns about potential runoff into the surrounding environment if not properly managed.
“Several technical components of the tailings system require urgent evaluation and upgrading, especially in terms of structural capacity and runoff control effectiveness,” said Rizal. “We urge regular technical assessments to ensure that surface water flows are properly managed before they reach the natural environment.”
The inspection also reviewed operations at IWIP’s coal power plant. While a Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) has been installed on the main stack, the control room’s current management capacity was deemed in need of reinforcement.
“We recommend enhancing the control room’s functionality—especially inter-unit communication and real-time operational data management—to enable rapid and integrated responses to operational dynamics,” Rizal added.
On the first day of the visit, Minister of Environment and Head of BPLH, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, inspected facilities at PT Weda Bay Nickel (WBN), including mine water management systems, final sedimentation ponds, domestic waste incinerators, and the acceleration of land rehabilitation using local vegetation species.
KLH/BPLH commended PT WBN’s adoption of digital environmental reporting through SPARING and SIMPEL systems, as well as its regular updates to the Environmental Impact Assessment (AMDAL) documentation.
These inspections reflect the government’s commitment to balancing strategic industrial development with strong environmental safeguards.
KLH/BPLH reiterated that all tenants operating within industrial zones must comply with the principles of environmental prudence, data transparency, and adherence to licensing and AMDAL requirements.
Monitoring of tailings management, emissions, and wastewater discharge will continue to be conducted regularly and comprehensively. (*)
