A worker at PT Gunbuster Nickel Industry (GNI), located in the nickel processing industrial area of North Morowali, Central Sulawesi, lost his left wrist in a workplace accident early Monday morning, sparking renewed calls for corporate accountability and stricter government oversight.

The incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. local time at Furnace 22 in the Smelter Production 3 Department. Wandi, Campaign manager of the Central Sulawesi chapter of the Indonesian Environmental Forum (Walhi), said the victim, identified as Ruly Alif Tauhid, was injured while preparing for slag disposal operations. He was reportedly feeding material into a smelting machine when an operator activated the equipment, resulting in the machine clamping down on his wrist.

Tauhid was rushed to the company’s clinic for emergency medical treatment.

Walhi Central Sulawesi condemned PT GNI, accusing the company of failing to implement adequate safety measures and routine monitoring in high-risk areas. They also highlighted communication issues arising from language barriers between local and foreign workers.

“This is not an isolated case,” Wandi told Indonesia Business Post on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, citing at least eight workplace accidents in the nickel processing industrial zone in 2023 alone. The organization criticized both national and regional governments for neglecting to address the ongoing safety crisis.

Wandi urged authorities to enforce mining safety regulations as outlined in Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation No. 38/2018, which governs the implementation of occupational safety and health management systems (SMK3) in the mining and mineral sectors.

Besides safety concerns, Wandi accused PT GNI of environmental violations. Coal handling activities and smelter operations have allegedly caused air and water pollution in the surrounding areas, particularly affecting residents of Tanauge village in Petasia subdistrict.

Locals have reported respiratory problems due to air pollution and claim that nearby sea waters have turned black and oily, likely from coal spills during transport to the company’s coal-fired power plant. Fisherfolk also noted a decline in fish stocks due to environmental degradation.

Wandi said that its investigation and lab tests confirmed pollution levels in coastal and river areas exceeded environmental quality standards.

Head of Corporate Communication of PT GNI, Mellysa Tanoyo, did not respond to Indonesia Business Post's request for comment on Thursday, April 17, 2025.