Obi Island Research Articles

Integrated vertical mining and processing for Critical Mineral: A case study in Obi Island, North Maluku Province

Abstract Harita Nickel Group in Obi Island, Indonesia pioneered the utilization of limonite nickel ore (Ni <1.5%) for electric car batteries in the country. Nickel mining in Obi Island transitioned from nickel mining in 2010 to integrated mining by establishing downstream processing of raw materials for stainless steel in 2016 and electric car battery in 2018. Pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical technologies are employed in factories within Harita Nickel’s mining concession area, notably PT Trimegah Bangun Persada Tbk (PTTBP). This vertically integrated mining and downstream processing in Obi Island, South Halmahera Regency, North Maluku Province, marks a significant advancement in Indonesia’s mining industry. The close proximity (<3km) of mining and factory locations ensures efficiency and low costs. In vertically integrated mining, companies seek to maximize the use of all materials involved in production processes, minimizing waste and optimizing resource utilization. This research focusing on the waste generated during nickel processing of RKEF can be repurposing into new products, reducing environmental impact and increasing sustainability. Nickel, a critical mineral, has garnered global attention, particularly since Indonesia emerged as the world’s largest nickel ore reserve. The extractive industry, employing pyrometallurgy technology, has rapidly produced stainless steel raw materials from nickel mining since 2016. Indonesia’s nickel ore, known as saprolite nickel with high nickel content (>1.7%), has been exploited since the 1970s, while the low-grade limonite nickel layer gained traction only around mid-2018. In the future, Harita Nickel project in western Obi Island will be developed as an Eco Industrial Park for a greater integration, highlighting the comprehensive benefits of vertically integrated mining and providing a more thorough and insightful evaluation of its potential.

Karst groundwater conservation based on hydrochemistry and isotope stable analysis in Obi Island, South Halmahera

Abstract This paper presents an analysis of the hydrogeological characteristics of the Kelo karst area in Obi Island, South Halmahera, focusing on hydrochemistry and isotopic methods to delineate the groundwater recharge zones and propose conservation measures. Despite its natural state, the Kelo karst area has not been previously studied for hydrogeology nor exploited for resources. Unregulated exploitation of karst areas poses significant environmental risks, leading to the degradation of their strategic and hydrological functions. This study investigates spring characteristics through hydrochemistry analysis, stable isotopes (δ18O and δ2H), and groundwater mixing processes. Hydrochemistry and isotopic analyses elucidate the hydrogeological features, including groundwater origin and recharge mechanisms. The predominant groundwater facies in the study area exhibit a Ca-Mg-HCO3 − composition, reflecting the dissolution processes of both limestone and igneous rock formations. Isotopic analysis and local meteoric water line examination indicate a recharge zone elevation ranging from 612 to 945 meters. Geological features such as fracture zones, lineaments, faults, and sinkholes significantly influence the determination of recharge areas. Protection of these recharge zones is imperative for groundwater conservation, ensuring the sustained availability and quality of groundwater amidst the development pressures on karst landscapes.

Circular Economy Approach on Decarbonization by Repurposing Used Cooking Oil for Nickel Smelter – A Case Study of PT Megah Surya Pertiwi, Obi Island, North Maluku, Indonesia

Abstract This research was instigated by the world’s endeavours to fight dependency on fossil energy sources. While coal prevails as a beneficial energy source, countries worldwide have strived to reduce coal usage in the future under the Net Zero Emission Pledge. Questions linger on how to minimize coal usage, play down its impact on the environment, and maintain economic advantages. This quantitative study focused on the repurposing of used cooking oil for alternative energy sources at PT Megah Surya Pertiwi (PT MSP), the first downstream company of Harita Nickel that processes nickel saprolite ore to Ferronickel using the Rotary Kiln Electric Furnace (RKEF) technology in Obi Island, North Maluku, Indonesia. As the company’s employment grows, wastes, including used cooking oil (UCO), accumulate. The result showed that repurposing UCO in PT MSP has lowered the consumption of coal by 2,206 tons (7.53%), diverted 2,980 tCO2e indirect GHG emission (Scope 1), and saved the total cost up to IDR 1,408,231,332.

The Dynamic Cause of Volcanic Age Disparity in the Halmahera Arc, Eastern Indonesia, Based on Thermal Simulation

A notable feature of volcanic activity in the Halmahera arc since the Middle Miocene is that eruptions have occurred episodically from south to north, rather than simultaneously. However, the dynamic cause of the volcanic age disparity between the northern and southern regions remains unresolved. To investigate this, thermal simulation methods were employed to calculate the temperature structures of the subducted slab and mantle wedge under varying movement rates of subduction and overriding plates. Simulation results indicate that arc magmatism is favored at lower subduction rates or higher overriding plate movement rates. During the Middle Miocene, the northward drift of the Australian plate propelled the Obi microplate southward via left-lateral strike-slip faults, accelerating its movement rate. In contrast, the movement rate of the Halmahera microplate in the north remained lower, unaffected by the Australian plate. The accelerated movement of the Obi microplate resulted in the rapid generation of a higher temperature zone, facilitating arc volcanism on Obi Island in the late Middle Miocene. Meanwhile, the lower movement rate of the Halmahera microplate delayed the formation of a favorable high-temperature zone for arc volcanism, leading to the emergence of volcanism on Halmahera Island in the late Pliocene.

Metabolite from supernatant of soil and plant-associated bacteria control biofilm of fish pathogens

ObjectivesThis research aimed to identify and quantify the antibiofilm activity of bioactive compounds from bacteria isolated from rhizosphere and nodule butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea), rhizosphere clove afo 3 (Syzygium aromaticum), nodule mimosa (Mimosa pudica L.), and soil from gold mining land which were recovered from Ternate, Tidore, Obi Island, and Marotai Island, Eastern part of Indonesia.ResultsEight supernatants from soil and plant-associated bacteria were found to have quorum quenching activity against Chromobacterium violaceum. All supernatants exhibited antibiofilm activity against biofilm formed by Aeromonas hydrophila and Vibrio harveyi. The supernatant of FT5 showed the highest activity in disrupting (66.59%) and inhibiting (85.63%) the biofilm of A. hydrophila. For V. harveyi, the supernatant of PTM3 showed the highest disruption activity (72.61%), whileRCA7 showed the highest inhibition activity(75.68%). The Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) identified fatty acids, ester, and diketopiperazine as the compounds related to the antibiofilm activity. Molecular identification revealed that the isolates belong to the genera Bacillus, Priestia, and Chryseobacterium.

Characteristics of epithermal gold-base metals prospect in the Anggai block, northern Obi Island, Indonesia

The Obi island, located in the North Moluccas Au-Ag-Cu province, hosts several mineral prospects, one of which is gold-base metals in the Anggai block. Several companies have historically explored the area since the end of the 1900s. The ore bodies are white to smoky and brownish-white, banded, laminated, colloform, crustiform, and massive quartz vein structures or textures, trending north northwest to south southeast. The ore bodies consist of gold and base metals hosted in the Bacan Formation and are enveloped by dominantly argillic alteration and the addition of silicic alteration. In this study, we provide several analyses, namely petrography, measurements using Portable Infrared Mineral Analyser (PIMA), Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS), and fluid inclusion analysis, to understand geological and geochemical characteristics related to formation of gold-base metals in the Anggai block. Under the microscope, gold (i.e., electrum) is freely observed and closely occurs with argentite. While galena, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, covellite, chalcocite, and pyrite are mainly observed together. The correlation coefficient between Au and other metals shows a strong positive correlation with Zn (r = 0.810188) and a weak positive correlation with Ag (r = 0.459857). Ag shows only a weak positive correlation to Au, while the other elements show a strong positive correlation. In addition, Cu, Pb, and Zn show a strong positive correlation with each other. The micro-thermometry analysis of fluid inclusions shows two modes of homogenization temperature (Th) and salinity: 180-200 °C and 240-280 °C, and 1.4-1.6 and 1.9-2.2 wt% NaCl eq., respectively, suggesting overprinting evidence to enrich the ore bodies with occurrences of gold and base metals in the quartz veins. Gold-base metals were probably carried by the sulfide complex, which later precipitated during the cooling of the hydrothermal fluid.

Digital Utopia: An Analysis of Contemporary Slow-Paced Community Games --The Case of Obi Island

With the development of society, slow-paced community games are becoming more and more popular. This paper will take the players of the slow-paced community game Obi Island as the research object, the research method combines case analysis with network participatory observation, mainly discussing the causes and marketing models of the popularity of the slow-paced community game represented by this game in modern society, and put forward directions and suggestions for the future development of such games. This paper analyzes the behavioral feelings of players in Obi Island from the perspectives of nostalgia, liquid society, media nostalgia, etc., introduces and analyzes the emotional value brought by such games from multiple perspectives, as well as their influence and connotation, in an attempt to provide ideas for the future development direction of such games and conduct self-optimization. The research finds that the essence of "Obi Island" is to construct a nostalgic utopia of good times to resist anxiety for emotionally disturbed players, and players should not be overly addicted to this virtual fantasy in the current society. Therefore, game manufacturers should change their attitude toward the game, not only to innovate and try within the framework of the concept of the game but also to actively take responsibility to guide players to face reality correctly. Nostalgia is not the ultimate goal, nor is it an escape from reality. The healing power obtained from nostalgia utopia is the driving force for progress in reality.

Water availibility of Karo Lake, Obi Island, South Halmahera

Lake Karo is one of the largest water sources on Obi Island. Obi Island has a large potential for water resources that can be used optimally by the local communities. This hydrological analysis purposed to calculate the water availability in Karo Lake. Water availability is the amount of water that is estimated to continue to exist in a location with a certain amount and within a certain period of time. Water availability is calculated by dependable discharge using the Mock method. The basis for the calculation of the Mock method is to calculate the rain that falls on the water catchment area, some will be lost as evapotranspiration, some will immediately become surface runoff and some will absorb into the ground (infiltration). The analysis used climate data, topography, and the area of the water catchment area in the watershed. In order to obtain an accurate dependable discharge calculation, it is necessary to have long-term rainfall monitoring data. The data used in the calculation of the Mock method is monthly rainfall data for the last 20 years from Rainfall Station data around the study location. The results of Digital Elevation Model data processing, the catchment area in the Lake Karo watershed is 65.11 km2. Based on the results of calculations using Mock method, the water availability in Lake Karo is always available year-round with a dependable discharge of Q80 is 1.8 m3/second. The water availability can be used for any purpose of the local communities.

Temporal detection of Total Suspended Solid (TSS) distribution in the southern area of Obi Island

The Halmahera Selatan Regency has many potential natural resources including mining potential, and nickel is one potential that can be found in Obi Island. The abundance of nickel in Obi Island also increases activities that cause various materials to enter the sea. The sediment materials entering the waters through land runoff are suspended sediment or Total Suspended Solids (TSS). Sentinel 2 satellite imageries could observed TSS concentration and its distribution in this research through visible and infrared channels. The distribution of TSS will be determined by using an algorithm, which uses the blue and green bands with corrected atmospheric reflectance format. Based on the data processing results, the distribution of TSS values in the southern area of Obi Island in 2023 was in the range of 4 - 874 mg/l that were divided into three groups of areas, represented by A area within the range of 4 – 874 mg/l, which describes the distribution of TSS in coastal areas without human settlements, B area within range of 4 - 237 mg/l which depicting TSS conditions at river estuaries, and group C area within range of 4 – 431 mg/l which illustrating TSS locations in coastal areas with human settlements.

Water availability of Akelamo River, Obi Island, South Halmahera

The nickel mining industry’s activities are not spared from the high quantity of water demand, such as those of Harita Nickel Indonesia, a company located in Obi Island, South Halmahera. As one of the largest nickel mining companies that uphold environmental conservation, Harita Nickel Indonesia conducted this study to identify and analyze water availability to ensure the company’s and local residents’ water needs. One of the water resources in this study is Akelamo River, which has a 254.99 Km2 catchment area (covering the catchment area of Karo Lake upstream). Referring to SNI 6738:2015, water availability can be indicated by the amount of dependable flow based on an 80% probability of occurrence. This calculation is carried out using F.J. Mock method that heavily relies on six (6) defining variables: Reflection coefficient (r), Exposed surface (m;%), Soil moisture capacity (ISMC), Infiltration coefficient (if), Flow recession constant (k), and Percentage factor (PF). Based on the method and conditions of this location, it is calculated that the dependable flow Q80 of the Akelamo River is 6.2 m3/sec. It should be noted that this figure only represents overflow discharge and does not include the amount of water currently stored in the water body. This availability study can be continued with a water balance analysis according to the planned water demand or even as a consideration in hydrological infrastructure planning such as dams.

STRATEGI PENGEMBANGAN DAN PENINGKATAN USAHA JAMU HERBAL TRADISIONAL (STUDI PADA WARUNG IBU PEBRI JL. PULAU OBI GANG DURIAN SINGARAJA)

The purpose in this study is to know. Strategy for Development and Improvement of Traditional Herbal Medicine Business (Study at Warung Ibu Pebri Jl. Obi Island Gang Durian Singaraja) The type of research used is a type of qualitative descriptive research. The data collection techniques used are interview techniques and documentation techniques. As for The results in this case can be seen from 2 aspects, namely: 1. For Warung Bu Ferbi, a) product quality, b) product prices, c) technology benefits, d) customer satisfaction, 2. For consumers, a) there is an improvement in product quality, b) product price adjustments, c) the use of technology in product marketing, d) there is satisfaction felt by customers with the products sold.

New species of genus Trismelasmos Schoorl, 1990 (Lepidoptera, Cossidae, Zeuzerinae) from Obi Island (Indonesia)

The article describes Trismelasmos obiensis Yakovlev sp. nov. distributed in Obi Island (Indonesia, North Maluku Province). The article has two illustrations.

Socio-economic baseline, economic feasibility study and processing activities ASGM in Obi Island, South Halmahera District, North Maluku Province, Indonesia

Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) is mining of gold deposits with simple physical and chemical characteristics using simple equipment and technology. In 2005, total mercury release in the environment in ASGM was more than twice from this sector, around 35% of total mercury, with an annual estimate at 727 tons, becoming the largest global resource of anthropogenic mercury release. In Indonesia, total mercury released to the environment is estimated at 340 metric tons per year and also among the top 3 global emitters of mercury, with 57.5% from the ASGM sector, where 60% is being emitted to air, 20% to water, and the remaining 20% to land. The location of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in this study are in Anggai village and Air Mangga village in Obi sub-district, South Halmahera district, North Maluku Province. Amalgamation has been the preferred method for treating the gold ores in both Anggai and Air Mangga Villages. The methodology provides a suggested approach for collecting and analyzing data and guidance for analyzing policy, regulatory, and institutional aspects and health aspects in the ASGM sector, mainly covering the Socio Economy ASGM research methodology. An assessment of the practicality of a proposed plan or project is also called Feasibility Study. The objective of this research was to describe the socio-economic impact and feasibility of gold processing of ASGM in Obi Island, South Halmahera district, North Maluku Province.

Economic Diplomacy through the Development of Nickel Smelters and Battery Plants in Indonesia: Obi Island Case Study

There is a high demand for electric batteries worldwide, driven by a growing movement towards environmentally friendly electric cars. As the country with the largest nickel producer, Indonesia can develop the technology of making raw nickel into raw materials for the world's electric batteries that will be supplied until 2040. The large number of these has an impact on the proliferation of foreign investment in Indonesia. This article will discuss the success of the Indonesian government in restoring the post-Covid-19 economy through international forums and bilateral cooperation, especially with China. The analysis of this theme uses qualitative methods to explore the success and impact further. Then, the concepts of economic diplomacy and state economic security become analytical tools to strengthen the author's argument regarding the long-term effect of too much foreign investment in Indonesia, especially cooperation with the Nickel Smelter owned by China.

Contribution of Obi Island Reducing the Carbon Footprint in the Transport Sector

Transportation is one of the main sectors contributing to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that cause global climate change. One of the decarbonization strategies from the transportation sector that can be implemented is by switching to a sustainable mode of transportation, especially battery electric vehicles (BEV). Since mid-2021, Obi Island has been producing Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate (MHP). It is an intermediate product of limonite nickel ore processed using hydrometallurgical processing techniques through the first refining plant in Indonesia using High Pressure Acid Leaching (HPAL) technology. The MHP will be processed into Nickel Sulfate (NiSO4.6H2O) and Cobalt Sulfate (CoSO4.7H2O), the primary precursor materials for electric vehicles. The potential GHG emissions reduction in the transportation sector from the processing of limonite nickel ore in Obi Island is 2.04 MtCO2 in 2022 to 21.02 MtCO2 in 2040 with a total accumulation until 2040 of 344.56 MtCO2.

Nickel mining in Obi Island: problem or solution for mitigating climate change effects?

Climate change has become a global issue that threatens human life. According to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), since 1850 there has been an increase in temperature and sea level so that small islands will sink. As the largest archipelagic country in the world, Indonesia is committed to reduce carbon emissions as a means for mitigating the effects of climate change. The current program is to replace fossil energy with renewable energy. Nickel is a mineral for basic materials to make batteries that can be used as an energy source for electric vehicles which are environmentally friendly. Indonesia has the world's largest nickel reserves and contributes to 37% of the world's total nickel production in 2021. One of the areas that produces nickel is Obi Island in North Maluku. Massive nickel production in this island has negative on environment as well as social-economic on local community. The purpose of this study is to analyse the profit and loss impact of nickel mining in Obi Island. Using qualitative descriptive method through library research this study shows that nickel mining is able to increase regional income but is accompanied by environmental degradation and increased social problems for the local people.

Copper Minerals in Chalcedony from Obi Island, Indonesia

Copper Minerals in Chalcedony from Obi Island, Indonesia

Community Livelihood Diversification as a Result of Mining Industry Activities: A Case Study of Soligi Village, South Halmahera

Indonesia is one of the world's largest archipelagic countries. Diversification is the process of increasing household economic income in various sectors to improve welfare and survival opportunities. This study demonstrates that the people of Obi Island's livelihoods are diversifying due to mining and pressure from the immigrant population. This study is necessary to determine how mining depletes natural resources affects the livelihood strategies of the Indonesian archipelagic community, particularly in Maluku. On the other hand, they must contend with dwindling natural resources. This study employed a semi-structured questionnaire to conduct a home survey with 153 respondents in Soligi Village. In-depth interviews were also conducted to delve deeper into the research findings. This study demonstrates that physical capital and natural capital are the essential livelihood assets for the inhabitants of Soligi Village, and mining has resulted in the diversification of people's occupations into non-permanent mining employees.

A New Bent-Toed Gecko of the Cyrtodactylus marmoratus Group (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from Obi Island, Indonesia

Based on phylogenetic and morphological evidence, we describe a new species of Cyrtodactylus from Obi Island in the northern Moluccas, Indonesia. The new species is genetically and morphologically allied to the Melanesian species Cyrtodactylus papuensis but is distinguished by its larger body size, fewer midbody scale rows, deep precloacal groove in males, and enlarged nonpored femoral scales and pored precloacal scales arranged in a continuous series. The new species is also genetically divergent from C. papuensis (p-distances of 19.0%–20.1% in the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene). Four species of Cyrtodactylus are now known from the northern Moluccas, but it is likely additional species remain unrecognized.

Early Warning of Heavy Metal Pollution in the Waters of Obi Island Based on Plankton Elements

Industrial activities that are around the waters will donate dangerous heavy metals and enter the waters through rivers. Heavy metal pollution is very dangerous for animals, plants, and humans. Exposure to heavy metals in humans occurs through the food chain. Pollution observation methods using living organisms such as plankton as bioindicators are more effective. As an indicator of biological, composition, and abundance of plankton can provide a guide for monitoring the occurrence of pollution by using the saprobic index. This research aims to determine the level of pollution in the waters of Obi Island. The results of identification of plankton samples found 17 genera phytoplankton in 2 different classes, Diatom and Dinoflagellate, and 3 genera of zooplankton class. The average abundance of phytoplankton from the results of the study was 5.253 individual/L which means that the water conditions were mesotrophic. Meanwhile, the average abundance of zooplankton is 57 individuals/m3. The saprobic index and trophic saprobic index analysis tend to show that the waters are in the mild to moderate polluted category, where the waters are at the β-Mesosaprobic level.Keywords: Phytoplankton; Zooplankton; SI index; Obi island AbstrakKegiatan industri pertambangan di Kawasi merupakan pertambangan untuk memperoleh biji nikel (Ni). Biji Ni umumnya berasosiasi dengan log am berat lainnya seperti tembaga (Cu), arsenik (As), besi (Fe), dan platina (Pt) sehingga berpeluang besar masuk ke perairan di sekitar kawasan pertambangan melaluli aliran sungai. Interaksi yang terjadi dalam ekosistem perairan sungai dan beban masukan yang tidak terkendali dapat mempengaruhi ketersediaan unsur hara dan fitoplankton. Fitoplankton merupakan parameter biologi yang dapat di jadikan indikator untuk mengevaluasi kualitas dan tingkat kesuburan perairan. Sebagai indikator biologi komposisi dan kelimpahan fitoplankton dapat memberikan petunjuk untuk memantau terjadinya pencemaran dengan menggunakan indeks saprobitas. Hasil identifikasi sampel plankton yang dijumpai berjumlah 17 genus fitoplankton dalam 2 kelas berbeda, yaitu diatom dan Dinoflagellate, serta 3 genus zooplankton kelas copepoda. Dari hasil penelitian ini, kelas fitoplankton yang paling banyak tercacah adalah diatom atau Bacillariophyceae. Rata – rata kelimpahan fitoplankton (Diatom dan Dinoflagellata) dari hasil penelitian sebesar 15.503 ind/L. Hal ini, berarti bahwa kelimpahan perairan pada lokasi penelitian dalam kondisi tinggi (eutotrof). Jenis zooplankton yang tercacah merupakan zooplankton kelas copepoda yang terdiri atas Oithona sp.; Corycaeus sp.; dan Paracalunus sp. Analisis SI dan TSI cenderung menunjukan perairan berada pada kategori tercemar ringan sampai sedang, dimana perairan berada pada tingkat β- Mesosaprobik.Kata Kunci: Biji Nikel; Fitoplankton; Zooplankton; Indeks SI dan TSI.