Indonesia seizes part of nickel site over forest violations | International

JAKARTA, Sept 12, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Indonesian authorities have seized a small section of the world's largest nickel mine for encroaching on forest areas without permission, authorities said Friday. The Weda Bay Nickel concession, which has long been criticised by environmental and Indigenous rights groups for its effects on the surrounding forest, spans 45,000 hectares on Halmahera island. Authorities have now seized nearly 150 hectares that encroached into forest areas without obtaining a licence, Anang Supriatna, spokesman for Indonesia's attorney general's office, told AFP. "The taskforce has taken over the area by sealing it, and the land will be returned to the government," he added. Weda Bay Nickel is a joint venture of Indonesia's Antam and Singapore-based Strand Minerals, whose...