The Forest Management Task Force stated that if PT Weda Bay Nickel fails to pay administrative fines for illegal forest land use, further legal measures may be taken. The company has filed an appeal against the fines and plans to engage in dialogue. Previously, the task force had reclaimed a total of 321.07 hectares of mining area without forest land borrowing permits from the company and PT Tonia Mitra Sejahtera, of which 148.25 hectares belong to Weda Bay Nickel in Central and East Halmahera, and 172.82 hectares to Tonia Mitra in Bombana, Southeast Sulawesi.
A spokesperson said the state still gives companies leeway to fulfill fine obligations, but sanctions are not limited to administrative collection, and may also include land reclamation, asset seizure through administrative, civil, or even criminal proceedings. If fines remain unpaid and the appeal is not approved, the company may be required to restore forest conditions and assume other legal liabilities, including for state-owned enterprises involved; criminal liability for companies and individuals may also be pursued, and the legality of permits will be assessed.
The task force can take tough measures, up to revocation of operating permits. After the company appeals, there is a maximum 30-day resolution period, after which land may be reclaimed, assets seized, or permits revoked. A minority shareholder of Weda Bay Nickel stated that the fine amount and reason for the appeal are unknown, but respects the government's decision and supports cooperation with authorities to ensure legal operations. To date, the task force has imposed a total of IDR 389 trillion in fines on 71 palm oil and mining companies, including Weda Bay Nickel.
The company's nickel concession is located in Central and East Halmahera, North Maluku Province, and has been operating since 2019 under a special mining permit (valid until 2069), with a shareholding of 51.2% by Chinese Thingshan Group, 37.8% by French Eramet, and 10% by Indonesian ANTM. In 2025, it plans to produce 52 million tons of nickel, comprising 27 million tons of nickel saprolite for nickel pig iron plants, 3 million tons for consortium smelters, and 12 million tons of nickel limonite.
The Forest Management Task Force stated that if PT Weda Bay Nickel fails to pay administrative fines for illegal forest land use, further legal measures may be taken. The company has filed an appeal against the fines and plans to engage in dialogue. Previously, the task force had reclaimed a total of 321.07 hectares of mining area without forest land borrowing permits from the company and PT Tonia Mitra Sejahtera, of which 148.25 hectares belong to Weda Bay Nickel in Central and East Halmahera, and 172.82 hectares to Tonia Mitra in Bombana, Southeast Sulawesi.
A spokesperson said the state still gives companies leeway to fulfill fine obligations, but sanctions are not limited to administrative collection, and may also include land reclamation, asset seizure through administrative, civil, or even criminal proceedings. If fines remain unpaid and the appeal is not approved, the company may be required to restore forest conditions and assume other legal liabilities, including for state-owned enterprises involved; criminal liability for companies and individuals may also be pursued, and the legality of permits will be assessed.
The task force can take tough measures, up to revocation of operating permits. After the company appeals, there is a maximum 30-day resolution period, after which land may be reclaimed, assets seized, or permits revoked. A minority shareholder of Weda Bay Nickel stated that the fine amount and reason for the appeal are unknown, but respects the government's decision and supports cooperation with authorities to ensure legal operations. To date, the task force has imposed a total of IDR 389 trillion in fines on 71 palm oil and mining companies, including Weda Bay Nickel.
The company's nickel concession is located in Central and East Halmahera, North Maluku Province, and has been operating since 2019 under a special mining permit (valid until 2069), with a shareholding of 51.2% by Chinese Thingshan Group, 37.8% by French Eramet, and 10% by Indonesian ANTM. In 2025, it plans to produce 52 million tons of nickel, comprising 27 million tons of nickel saprolite for nickel pig iron plants, 3 million tons for consortium smelters, and 12 million tons of nickel limonite.