NGOs oppose plan to develop nickel mine in Sulawesi?s Lasolo Bay

A number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have strongly opposed a plan to develop a nickel coal mine in the Bahubulu island, within the area of the Lasolo Bay marine park, Southeast Sulawesi, Koran Tempo reported on Thursday.

?We strongly condemned the decision of the Southeast Sulawesi administration to approve PT Aneka Tambang?s plan to open up a new nickel mine in the protected marine area,? Yusuf Tallama, the deputy director of the Suluh Association said in Kendari on Wednesday.

The NGOs said the local government?s decision to change the status of the protected area into mining operation had been made without involving the people. If the plan to develop the nickel mine in the area is not dropped, it will cause a major destruction to rare sea species in the area.

Badrun Raona, the deputy chairman of the local mining office, confirmed the plan, saying turning the protected sea area into a nickel mining site is an important alternative to boost the local economy. ?The decision was made as part of the local government?s efforts to diversify sources of local revenues,? he said.

The Bahubulu island is one of four islands located within the protected sea area in the Lasolo Bay. The other islands are Labenke Kecil, Dehaan and Topografi. The area was named as a protected sea area in 1995 upon the recommendation from the local government. (*)