Indonesia Begins $5.9 Billion Chinese EV Battery Project Despite Environment Fears

The headquarters building of Chinese EV battery maker CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited) is seen in Ningde, in southeast China's Fujian province on November 15, 2024. (Photo by GREG BAKER / AFP)

Indonesia broke ground on Sunday on a $5.9 billion megaproject for EV battery production, backed by the Chinese giant CATL, despite NGOs raising concerns over a lack of environmental guarantees.

Indonesia is the world’s largest nickel producer, and it is trying to capitalise on its vast reserves, with a 2020 export ban spurring a domestic industrial boom of the key metal used in EV batteries and stainless steel.

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by Agence France-Presse

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