In the same 2025 article that reported on Norway’s divestment, Mongabay contextualized the decision within broader concerns about forest loss, biodiversity, and Indigenous rights. The article detailed how Weda Bay Nickel, which sits in the Wallacea Biodiversity Hotspot, had already cleared over 2,700 hectares (6,700 acres) of rainforest since 2019, far exceeding its plan, thereby threatening endemic species and risking their extinction before they’re documented. It also highlighted threats to the O’Hongana Manyawa (“Forest Tobelo”), a largely uncontacted Indigenous community of 3,500 people, and cast light on the ethical complexities of sourcing nickel for so-called ‘green’ technologies.

The case highlights growing investor scrutiny and concerns over whether nickel for electric vehicle batteries and other clean-energy technologies can be sourced without destroying tropical forests, or violating Indigenous rights.

In some cases, it was Mongabay’s persistent reporting that first raised public awareness of some of the issues tied to mining. For instance, Survival International’s Asia Research and Campaigns Director reached out to Mongabay journalist Hans Nicholas Jong following his article about Norway’s decision to express her appreciation for the “great work” over the years. “I remember your article about the threat of mining there in 2018, it was one of the first things I’d ever seen published about the O’Hongana Manyawa!”

Throughout the years, Survival International has looked to Mongabay for information on the intersection of Indigenous peoples and mining. In 2024, the organization contacted Christ Belseran, a Mongabay contributor who wrote about the Tobelo Dalam (O’Hongana Manyawa) Indigenous People to hear directly from journalists who covered the story and went or had seen the Tobelo Dalam people affected by nickel mining. In early 2025, Survival International again contacted Mongabay journalists for further information on this subject.   

Impact

In early September 2025, Mongabay Indonesia managing editor Saturi moderated a discussion during a Transparansi International Indonesia (TII) event, where several representatives from the French mining company were present. One of them told her that Mongabay is among the outlets they follow to stay informed on nickel-related developments.

Shortly after the event, representatives from the mining company met with Mongabay Indonesia journalists with an aim to discuss and better understand the issues related to the nickel industrial area, including WBN, given Mongabay Indonesia’s in-depth and ongoing coverage. 

TII also released a report on corruption vulnerabilities in Indonesia, specifically regarding Chinese investment in nickel industries, featuring a case study on PT IWIP. This is the second time TII has released research on nickel mining in Halmahera, and while preparing the report, TII researchers discussed with Mongabay, and the final publication included two photos from a 2024 Mongabay Indonesia article. This marked the second time TII included Mongabay’s work in its research on Halmahera.

In addition to TII, Komnas HAM (Indonesia’s National Commission on Human Rights) engaged Mongabay as a source in its investigations into nickel mining and industrial operations in Halmahera, including IWIP, during 2023 and 2024.

These examples of the news produced being put to use reflects Mongabay’s role in shaping narratives and providing trusted information that reaches corporations, NGOs, government oversight bodies, and policymakers. Through investigations, interviews, photos, data analysis, and fieldwork, Mongabay has become a key part of the information landscape. Although not directly cited in Norway’s divestment decision, Mongabay’s sustained attention to the Weda Bay Nickel mine and broader industry trends demonstrates the power of environmental journalism for raising awareness, supporting transparency and informing global action.

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Banner image: Nickel mining activity in the PT IWIP industrial area in Central Halmahera. Image by Irfan Maulana/Mongabay Indonesia.