Between a mineral and a hard place Indonesia’s export ban on raw minerals

This TNI article examines the challenges faced by resource-rich countries like Indonesia, which possess crucial raw materials for low-carbon technologies. It highlights the delicate balancing act between capital accumulation, social legitimacy, and trade policies, especially in the mining sector. It also discusses the difficulties social movements face when navigating these complicated dynamics. How destructive nickel production is for local people is discussed in this Mongabay article. Mining waste-induced floods have covered rice fields in Pomalaa, Indonesia with red mud, leading to reduced productivity and environmental degradation. This has led to calls for accountability and a review of the impact of the mining industry.

Photo: Illustration by Anđela Janković