KABAENA, Indonesia (AP) — Once pristine, the waters surrounding Kabaena Island shimmered in hues of crystal blue. But now, they have turned a cloudy shade of brown. The octopus and vibrant fish that sustained the local population have vanished, while lush seaweed beds once integral to their livelihood have disappeared. Parents who grew up swimming joyfully in the Flores Sea now steer their children away, fearful of itchy skin rashes or lesions caused by contact with the water.

The island's inhabitants, including the Indigenous Bajau community deeply embedded in their maritime traditions, are grappling with the profound consequences of Indonesia's booming mining industry. Experts estimate that thousands of communities nationwide, like Kabaena, are seeing their ways of life upended. Much of Indonesia's mined materials—nickel, cobalt, and bauxite—feed the global demand for stainless steel and electric vehicle batteries.

“Everyone here is feeling the impact,” said Amiruddin, 53, a fisherman who, like many Indonesians, goes by one name.

Murky brown water is observed near nickel mining operations surrounding Baliara village on Kabaena Island, Southeast Sulawesi, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Yusuf Wahid)

Thanks to abundant nickel reserves and other rich mineral deposits, Indonesia has risen as a crucial player in the global energy transition. However, while the nation aggressively expands its mining and processing industries, it faces backlash from environmental groups over the ecological damage tied to the boom.

Nickel processing plants dot Indonesia’s coastal regions, often just minutes from the shore. Barges carrying ore scatter the waters, and mines operate alarmingly close to schools. The price of this industry’s rapid expansion is high, with local communities and their fragile ecosystems bearing the brunt. From 2001 to 2020, mining activities caused the global loss of 1.4 million hectares (approximately 3.5 million acres) of forests, according to the World Resources Institute, with Indonesia experiencing the steepest losses.

______

A sprawling nickel mine overlooks a village on Kabaena Island, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Yusuf Wahid)

Between 2001 and 2023, over 3,700 hectares (9,140 acres) of forest on Kabaena, including areas designated as protected, were razed for mining, according to Mighty Earth, an international environmental group. This deforestation has significantly disrupted both livelihoods and ecosystems, said Amanda Hurowitz, a senior director at Mighty Earth.

Once teeming with fish, the waters surrounding Kabaena are now choked with mining runoff. Fishers must venture farther out at greater cost, leading to smaller catches and diminished incomes. Those without boats are left to scavenge for what little shellfish remains in the murky shallows.

“I used to cast my nets nearby,” said Ilyas, 70, gesturing toward the sea in front of his home. “Now, I have to go much farther before finding anything to catch.”

On land, agriculture has also suffered, with sugar cane, palm, and clove trees no longer thriving. Local farmers blame mining activities for contaminating water sources essential for their crops. “The growth of sugar palm trees has worsened due to mining’s influence,” said Amal Susanto, a 32-year-old palm sugar farmer. Even though mining in his area is yet to start, he dreads its impact on his family’s income. “I hope it never comes here,” he added.

Amal Susanto collects sap from a palm tree to produce palm sugar on Kabaena Island, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Yusuf Wahil)

Health issues have risen alongside environmental challenges. Itchy skin, throat irritation, and rashes plague residents, deterring many from using local water sources for bathing or washing. Lab tests conducted by Satya Bumi, an Indonesian environmental nonprofit, revealed hazardous levels of nickel, lead, and cadmium in Kabaena’s rivers, seawater, air, and shellfish—byproducts commonly linked to mining.

Exposure to these metals, even at lower concentrations, can result in chronic illnesses, including cancer, kidney damage, and cardiovascular issues, said Kathrin Schilling, a Columbia University assistant professor of molecular biology who analyzed the test results. “For islanders drinking contaminated water, eating affected shellfish, and breathing polluted air, there’s no escape,” she explained.

Across the sea to the north, Torobulu village experiences similar devastations. A nickel mine encroaches upon deteriorating soccer fields and athletic spaces, reflecting mining’s indiscriminate reach. Despite a March 2024 ruling from Indonesia’s constitutional court mandating special protections for small islands like Kabaena, mining activity persists.

Within months of the ruling, 150 hectares (370 acres) of forest were cleared on Kabaena for mining, Mighty Earth reported. One notable deforestation offender, Tonia Mitra Sejahtera, is among those mining firms that have remained silent when pressed for comment, as has Anugrah Harisma Barakah, which caused the most devastation on the island.

Students walk to school as a mined hill looms in the background on Kabaena Island, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Yusuf Wahid)

Indonesia's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources also refrained from commenting, leaving locals to contend with dwindling resources and polluted landscapes on their own. “What can we do when the water is like this?” lamented Nina, a 33-year-old Indigenous Bajau resident. “We’re just ordinary people. We have no power. We must accept it.”

___

Milko reported from Jakarta.

___

The Associated Press’ coverage of climate and environmental issues receives funding from various private foundations. All editorial content is independent. For information on AP's standards and coverage policies, visit AP.org.