National Policy Regarding Nickel Mining Management in Southeast Sulawesi

Abstract

Nickel has become a strategically important mineral in Indonesia, particularly within national efforts to promote downstreaming, industrial development, and domestic value creation. Southeast Sulawesi is an important nickel-producing region, where mining and processing activities generate economic opportunities while creating environmental, social, and governance challenges. This study examines national policy regarding nickel resource management in Southeast Sulawesi, with particular attention to downstreaming, industrial development, environmental management, socioeconomic impacts, and policy implementation. The study employs a qualitative descriptive literature review approach. Relevant literature was identified through academic and institutional sources, including Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Scopus-indexed publications, government websites, official legal databases, journal articles, books, reports, legislation, and other credible institutional documents. The collected literature was screened and analyzed thematically to identify recurring patterns and relationships among national policy, industrial development, environmental management, socioeconomic conditions, and governance. The findings indicate that national policy provides the principal regulatory and strategic foundation for nickel resource management, while downstreaming transforms nickel from an extractive commodity into an important component of broader industrial development. Mining and processing can stimulate investment, employment, infrastructure, and supporting businesses, but may also place pressure on land, water, forests, coastal ecosystems, and local livelihoods. The study further finds that sustainable nickel management depends on continuous environmental monitoring, reclamation, corporate compliance, institutional coordination, transparency, and community participation. Overall, effective nickel policy requires an integrated governance approach that connects economic development with environmental protection, social welfare, and responsible regional resource management. Policy effectiveness therefore depends on consistent implementation and enforcement at the regional level.