Ultramafic nickel laterites in Indonesia (Sulawesi, Halmahera): Mining, nickel hyperaccumulators and opportunities for phytomining

Indonesia (Sulawesi and Halmahera Islands) has some of the largest surface exposures of ultramafic bedrock in the world, and these are the sites of productive lateritic nickel mining operations. The proven and potential use of native plant species of ultramafic outcrops in mine rehabilitation can help drive conservation efforts, and nickel hyperaccumulators in particular can potentially be used in phytomining. The phytomining operation uses hyperaccumulators to extract residual nickel from stripped land. As such, in the foreseeable future, implementation of this technology is likely to be seen as a part of a progressive rehabilitation strategy of lateritic nickel mining in Indonesia. This approach ensures effective erosion control (e.g. ‘re-greening’) while at the same time generating income by gaining residual nickel.

► Indonesia has some of the world's largest nickel laterite occurrences.
► Nickel extraction results in significant adverse environmental impacts.
► Native nickel hyperaccumulators can be used for phytomining technology.
► Nickel phytomining offers to gain income from mine site rehabilitation.