NICKEL SMELTER ON SOCIAL-ECONOMICS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES (A CASE STUDY OF A NICKEL PROCESSING FACTORY IN BAHODOPI SUB-DISTRICT, MOROWALI REGENCY, CENTRAL SULAWESI PROVINCE, INDONESIA)
As one of the countries in the world with large nickel reserves, Indonesia can use this wealth of mineral resources to accelerate development and improve people's welfare. However, like the management of mineral resources in other countries, mineral exploration has a side effect on the environment and people's lives, especially those who live around the mines. This study reveals the environmental and socio-economic impacts that occur at the smelter construction site in Bahodopi Sub-district, Morowali Regency Central Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. The existence of nickel plant has become a magnet for migrants, the drying up of several rivers, degradation of forest functions and sedimentation along the coast, has forced local residents to join migrants in pursuing new livelihoods in the trade and service sector, leaving their previous livelihoods as farmers and fisherman. It cannot be denied that there has been an increase in GDP from the mining sector, but it has not been used optimally to repair environmental damage and socio-economic impacts caused by mining activities.
nickel, Smelter, Environment, Migrants and Livelihoods