Mining permits and environmental impact in Southeast Sulawesi
Part of Sulawesi: see the island
Southeast Sulawesi (capital Kendari) has 277 registered mining permits, mainly nickel, limestone. The mapped area opened and affected by mining covers 3,802 ha. In 2025, 23,683 ha of tree cover was lost. No environmental bulletins have been published for this province yet.
Affected areas cover pollution and physical damage to land, from licensed and unlicensed mining alike.
Permits by commodity
| Commodity | Permits |
|---|---|
| nickel | 170 |
| limestone | 49 |
| aspal | 20 |
| quartz sand | 19 |
| stone & sand | 10 |
| other | 7 |
| batuan aspal | 2 |
Source: ESDM MODI / Geoportal ESDM · Updated 24 Oct 2026
Forest loss per year
| Year | ha |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 38,613 |
| 2017 | 27,281 |
| 2018 | 24,346 |
| 2019 | 35,142 |
| 2020 | 19,017 |
| 2021 | 12,470 |
| 2022 | 13,439 |
| 2023 | 34,368 |
| 2024 | 17,002 |
| 2025 | 23,683 |
Source: Hansen/UMD Global Forest Change (v1.13) · Updated 24 Oct 2026
SDG status
No data yet
Permits by status
A WIUP is an area set aside for permits, not yet a permit. A WPR is a zone for small-scale community mining. Only "active" counts as a permit in the key figures.
Source: ESDM MODI / Geoportal ESDM · Updated 24 Oct 2026
More about this province
- About 86.6 % of the land is forest (tree canopy of at least 30 %, year 2000).
- 10 of 17 regencies and cities have 3 or more active permits.
Source: Hansen/UMD Global Forest Change (v1.13) · Updated 24 Oct 2026
Regencies and cities in Southeast Sulawesi
Pick a regency or city to see mining permits and affected areas at local level.
- Kolaka Regency · 27 permits
- Konawe Regency · 21 permits
- Muna Regency
- Buton Regency · 24 permits
- Konawe Selatan Regency · 48 permits
- Bombana Regency · 23 permits
- Wakatobi Regency
- Kolaka Utara Regency · 23 permits
- Konawe Utara Regency · 95 permits
- Buton Utara Regency
- Kolaka Timur Regency
- Konawe Kepulauan Regency · 4 permits
- Muna Barat Regency
- Buton Tengah Regency · 5 permits
- Buton Selatan Regency · 3 permits
- Kendari City
- Bau Bau City
Mining history of Southeast Sulawesi
A sourced timeline, as far back as the sources reach. Each point names its source and how certain it is. Where something is only reported or handed down, the limit is shown.
Before 1500
- c. 700–800 AD
Submerged iron-working village in Lake Matano
Pulau Ampat, Lake Matano, Luwu Timur · iron
Divers found the remains of an iron-working village on the floor of Lake Matano. Radiocarbon dates show iron ore was smelted here from the 8th century AD. It is the first underwater study of iron production in Asia.
Limit: The date applies to this one site; the scale of production is unknown.
Source: Shinatria Adhityatama; R.R. Triwurjani; Suryatman; David Bulbeck et al. (2022) Pulau Ampat site: A submerged 8th century iron production village in Matano Lake, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Archaeological Research in Asia · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- c. 1000–1700
Centuries of iron smelting at Nuha and Matano
Nuha and Matano village, Lake Matano, Luwu Timur · iron
The OXIS project excavated smelting debris, tuyères and charcoal at Matano and Nuha in 1998–1999. The lowest layer at Nuha dates to the 11th–13th century, the top to the 17th century or later. Iron was smelted through most of the second millennium AD.
Limit: Radiocarbon dates carry ranges of centuries.
Source: David Bulbeck; Ian Caldwell (2000) Land of Iron: The Historical Archaeology of Luwu and the Cenrana Valley (OXIS project results) · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- c. 1300–1400
Pamor Luwu: iron for the Javanese kris
Lake Matano and Luwu · iron (nickel-bearing laterite ore)
In Java, 'pamor Luwu' is known as the iron used for the patterns in a kris blade. Scholars link it to Lake Matano ore with 1–2 % nickel. The OXIS team concludes that the Matano iron industry existed by the 14th century.
Limit: Whether nickel gave the special quality is disputed: many analysed kris contain little or no nickel.
Source: David Bulbeck; Ian Caldwell (2000) Land of Iron: The Historical Archaeology of Luwu and the Cenrana Valley (OXIS project results) · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1365
Luwu named in the Majapahit poem
Luwu (Gulf of Bone) · iron
The Javanese poem Desawarnana (Nagarakertagama) of 1365 lists Luwu among lands under Majapahit influence. It is the oldest written mention of Luwu. Historians see the iron trade as one reason for the link with Java.
Limit: The poem names Luwu, not the iron; the iron-trade link is a scholarly interpretation.
Source: David Bulbeck; Ian Caldwell (2000) Land of Iron: The Historical Archaeology of Luwu and the Cenrana Valley (OXIS project results) · consulted 24 Oct 2026
1500–1799: Portuguese, Spanish and VOC
- c. 1512–1535
Gold from North Sulawesi to Ternate
Siau and the North Sulawesi coast · gold
Soon after 1512 the Portuguese writer Tomé Pires recorded traders from Siau bringing gold to Ternate. The Spaniard Urdaneta (1526–1535) wrote that 'Celebes' sent gold to Maluku every year. These are the oldest written records of gold from the north.
Limit: The sources do not say exactly where the gold was mined.
Source: David Henley (1993) A Superabundance of Centers: Ternate and the Contest for North Sulawesi. Cakalele 4: 39-60 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1667–1700
VOC moves in on Gorontalo gold
Gorontalo · gold
After the Treaty of Bongaya (18 November 1667) the VOC extended its power over areas once under Gowa. Gorontalo came under the VOC governor in Ternate. This began the Company's involvement in gold.
Limit: Specific VOC gold contracts with Gorontalo and Limboto were not checked in the archive.
Source: Hasanuddin Anwar; Retno Sekarningrum; Muhammad Nur Ichsan Azis; Irna Saptaningrum; Hendri Gunawan (2023) Commodities and the Dynamics of Commercial Shipping Activity at Gorontalo in 19th Century. ICLC 2022, ASSEHR 756: 7 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1670–1700
VOC sources on Luwu iron
Luwu and Lake Matano · iron
VOC official Speelman in 1670 was the first European to record iron exports from Luwu. In the same century Rumphius wrote that Matano iron was nearly as good as steel. Until the early 20th century Matano iron tools were traded to Maluku.
Source: David Bulbeck; Ian Caldwell (2000) Land of Iron: The Historical Archaeology of Luwu and the Cenrana Valley (OXIS project results) · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1677–1681
North Sulawesi under the VOC
Manado, Minahasa, Sangihe, Gorontalo · gold
Between 1677 and 1681 Sangihe, Minahasa and the peninsula from Gorontalo eastwards came under the VOC. The Company then bought goods such as gold, turtleshell and wax directly from local producers.
Source: David Henley (1993) A Superabundance of Centers: Ternate and the Contest for North Sulawesi. Cakalele 4: 39-60 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
1800–1941: colonial period
- c. 1896–1940
Over 13 tonnes of gold from Paleleh and Totok
Paleleh (Buol) and Ratatotok (Minahasa Tenggara) · gold
The colonial mines of Paleleh and Totok (Ratatotok) together produced over 13 tonnes of gold. It came from quartz lodes and eluvial deposits.
Limit: The figure is a total; no split by mine or year in this source.
Source: S.L. Garwin (1996) The settings and styles of gold mineralization in Southeast Asia. Geological Society of Malaysia, Annual Geological Conference '96 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1909–1910
Geological expedition across Central Celebes
Central and Southeast Sulawesi · nickel; geology
In 1909–1910 mining engineer E.C. Abendanon crossed Central Celebes. His four-volume report (1915–1918) gave the first geological maps of much of the interior.
Limit: Later sources say he found nickel ore at Pomalaa in 1909; this was not checked in the original work.
Source: E.C. Abendanon (1915) Midden-Celebes-Expeditie: geologische en geographische doorkruisingen van Midden-Celebes (1909-1910), 4 vols + atlas, Leiden: E.J. Brill · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1909–1910
Geological expedition across Central Celebes
Central and Southeast Sulawesi · nickel; geology
In 1909–1910 mining engineer E.C. Abendanon crossed Central Celebes. His four-volume report (1915–1918) gave the first geological maps of much of the interior.
Limit: Later sources say he found nickel ore at Pomalaa in 1909; this was not checked in the original work.
Source: E.C. Abendanon (1915) Midden-Celebes-Expeditie: geologische en geographische doorkruisingen van Midden-Celebes (1909-1910), 4 vols + atlas, Leiden: E.J. Brill · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1924–1941
Buton asphalt found and mined
Kabungka and Lawele, Buton · asphalt
Dutch geologist W.H. Hetzel recorded natural asphalt on Buton in 1924. From 1925 the Boeton Maatschappij mined it until the Japanese occupation in 1942. It was used on roads from 1926.
Source: Awang H. Satyana; Ngakan A. Ascaria; Alfathony Krisnabudhi; Ragil D. Prasetyo (2023) Prospectivities of Buton area, Southeast Sulawesi: new insights from revisiting integrated geological-geophysical-geochemical data. IPA · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1924–1941
Buton asphalt found and mined
Kabungka and Lawele, Buton · asphalt
Dutch geologist W.H. Hetzel recorded natural asphalt on Buton in 1924. From 1925 the Boeton Maatschappij mined it until the Japanese occupation in 1942. It was used on roads from 1926.
Source: Awang H. Satyana; Ngakan A. Ascaria; Alfathony Krisnabudhi; Ragil D. Prasetyo (2023) Prospectivities of Buton area, Southeast Sulawesi: new insights from revisiting integrated geological-geophysical-geochemical data. IPA · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1934–1941
First nickel mine at Pomalaa
Pomalaa, Kolaka · nickel
In 1934 the Oost-Borneo Maatschappij began nickel exploration at Pomalaa. Mining began in 1938. Ore was exported to Japan until 1942.
Limit: Other sources name a subsidiary (Boni Tolo) and give different years and tonnages.
Source: Wood Mackenzie (2024) Pomalaa nickel operation (report summary) · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1934–1941
First nickel mine at Pomalaa
Pomalaa, Kolaka · nickel
In 1934 the Oost-Borneo Maatschappij began nickel exploration at Pomalaa. Mining began in 1938. Ore was exported to Japan until 1942.
Limit: Other sources name a subsidiary (Boni Tolo) and give different years and tonnages.
Source: Wood Mackenzie (2024) Pomalaa nickel operation (report summary) · consulted 24 Oct 2026
1942–1998: war, independence and the New Order
- 1942–1945
Japanese occupation: nickel for the war
Pomalaa, Kolaka · nickel
In 1942 Sumitomo took over the Pomalaa mine and built a nearby smelter. Prisoners of war from Makassar were forced to work in the nickel mines from January to September 1943. The smelter was destroyed in the war.
Source: Stichting Indische Kamparchieven (2024) Celebes - bezetting en bersiap (per regio) · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1942–1945
Japanese occupation: nickel for the war
Pomalaa, Kolaka · nickel
In 1942 Sumitomo took over the Pomalaa mine and built a nearby smelter. Prisoners of war from Makassar were forced to work in the nickel mines from January to September 1943. The smelter was destroyed in the war.
Source: Stichting Indische Kamparchieven (2024) Celebes - bezetting en bersiap (per regio) · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- c. 1950–2023
Asbuton after independence
Buton · asphalt
After independence the state company Perusahaan Aspal Negara took over. Reserves are estimated at about 663 million tonnes. The public works ministry promotes its use on roads.
Limit: The takeover year and reserve figures vary by source.
Source: Direktorat Jenderal Bina Marga, Kementerian PUPR (2023) Pengenalan Jenis dan Penggunaan Aspal Buton untuk Perkerasan Jalan · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1962–1976
State mine Pomalaa and Antam
Pomalaa, Kolaka · nickel
In 1962 state companies formed a joint venture to restart the mine. In 1968 Pomalaa came under the new state company Aneka Tambang (Antam). From 1976 ore went to a new on-site smelter.
Source: Wood Mackenzie (2024) Pomalaa nickel operation (report summary) · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1967
1967 Mining Law and Contracts of Work
Indonesia (national) · all minerals
On 2 December 1967 Law No. 11/1967 on mining was enacted. It allowed Contracts of Work with foreign companies. PT Inco at Sorowako and many gold contracts in North Sulawesi later used this basis.
Source: JDIH BPK RI (1967) UU No. 11 Tahun 1967 tentang Ketentuan-Ketentuan Pokok Pertambangan · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1968
Contract of Work for PT Inco
Sorowako, Luwu Timur · nickel
In July 1968 PT International Nickel Indonesia (PT Inco) was founded. It signed a Contract of Work with the government for 30 years from the start of commercial production. It was one of the first large foreign mining contracts after the 1967 Mining Law.
Source: PT Vale Indonesia (2024) Our history in Indonesia · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1976–2015
Antam ferronickel plants
Pomalaa, Kolaka · nickel (ferronickel)
Antam's first ferronickel line (FeNi I) ran from 1976 at 5,500 t nickel per year. FeNi II followed in 1995 and FeNi III later. In 2015 FeNi IV was under construction.
Limit: FeNi III start is given as 1997 or 2007.
Source: Kementerian ESDM (2015) Menteri ESDM Tinjau Pabrik Feronikel Pomalaa, PT Antam · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1977–1978
Sorowako smelter starts up
Sorowako, Luwu Timur · nickel
PT Inco built a smelter for nickel matte from laterite ore between 1974 and 1978. President Soeharto inaugurated the plant in 1977. Commercial production began in 1978.
Limit: Sources give 1977 or 1978 as the start year.
Source: Guiry; Dalvi (1987) P.T. INCO's Indonesian nickel project: An updating · consulted 24 Oct 2026
Since 1999: decentralisation to today
- 2008–2009
Bombana gold rush
Rarowatu and Rarowatu Utara, Bombana · gold
In September 2008 thousands of people from across Indonesia flocked to new gold fields along rivers in Bombana. Between September and December 2008, 39 miners died in the open gold fields.
Limit: Kompas reported about 40,000 panners on 2 December 2008; numbers are estimates.
Source: Kompas.com (2008) Sudah 39 Penambang Tewas di Bombana · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 2009
2009 Minerba Law
Indonesia (national) · minerals and coal
On 12 January 2009 Law No. 4/2009 replaced the 1967 mining law. It requires minerals to be processed in Indonesia. This became the basis for the raw-ore export ban.
Source: JDIH BPK RI (2009) UU No. 4 Tahun 2009 tentang Pertambangan Mineral dan Batubara · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 2014–2020
Raw nickel ore export ban
Indonesia (national) · nickel ore
In January 2014 Indonesia banned exports of unprocessed nickel ore. From 2017 to 2019 low-grade ore could again be exported under conditions. A full ban returned on 1 January 2020; a WTO panel ruled in 2022 that it breaks trade rules.
Limit: Indonesia appealed; the ruling has not taken effect.
Source: World Trade Organization (2022) Indonesia - Measures Relating to Raw Materials (DS592), Report of the Panel · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 2014–2020
Raw nickel ore export ban
Indonesia (national) · nickel ore
In January 2014 Indonesia banned exports of unprocessed nickel ore. From 2017 to 2019 low-grade ore could again be exported under conditions. A full ban returned on 1 January 2020; a WTO panel ruled in 2022 that it breaks trade rules.
Limit: Indonesia appealed; the ruling has not taken effect.
Source: World Trade Organization (2022) Indonesia - Measures Relating to Raw Materials (DS592), Report of the Panel · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 2015
President opens first IMIP smelter
Bahodopi, Morowali · nickel (NPI)
On 29 May 2015 President Joko Widodo inaugurated the first nickel smelter at IMIP. Since 2016 the park has been a National Strategic Project. It grew into one of the world's largest nickel and stainless-steel complexes.
Source: PT IMIP (2024) FAQ - PT Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 2017
Indonesia ratifies the Minamata Convention
Indonesia (national) · mercury
With Law No. 11/2017 Indonesia ratified the Minamata Convention on Mercury. It asks countries to reduce mercury in small-scale gold mining. This affects many gold areas in Sulawesi.
Source: JDIH BPK RI (2017) UU No. 11 Tahun 2017 tentang Pengesahan Minamata Convention on Mercury · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 2019
VDNI smelter in Konawe opens
Morosi, Konawe · nickel (NPI smelting)
On 25 February 2019 the industry minister opened PT Virtue Dragon Nickel Industry's nickel smelter at Morosi. The investment was about USD 1 billion. A sister company was already building a larger plant next to it.
Source: Tempo (2019) Pabrik Smelter di Kawasan Industri Nikel Morosi Resmi Beroperasi · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 2022
Pomalaa HPAL groundbreaking
Pomalaa, Kolaka · nickel (HPAL)
On 27 November 2022 construction began on a PT Vale–Huayou HPAL plant at Pomalaa. It is meant to make battery-grade nickel (MHP). Ford joined the project in 2023.
Source: PT Vale Indonesia (2024) Indonesia Growth Project Pomalaa · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 2024
Court: small islands stay closed to mining
Wawonii, Konawe Kepulauan · nickel
On 21 March 2024 the Constitutional Court rejected a petition by nickel miner PT Gema Kreasi Perdana. The ban on mining small islands in the coastal law stays in force. Wawonii residents had gone to court against the mine.
Limit: Reports say mining continued afterwards.
Source: CNN Indonesia (2024) MK Tolak Gugatan yang Minta Pesisir & Pulau Kecil Jadi Wilayah Tambang · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 2024
From Contract of Work to IUPK
Sorowako (Luwu Timur), Bahodopi (Morowali), Pomalaa (Kolaka) · nickel
On 26 February 2024 the share divestment to state holding MIND ID was completed. The same year the Contract of Work became a special mining licence (IUPK). PT Vale now also works in Bahodopi and Pomalaa.
Source: PT Vale Indonesia (2024) Our history in Indonesia · consulted 24 Oct 2026
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