Indonesian Nickel Smelters: Workers Clash And Get Killed

Two People Killed After Workers Clash In Indonesian Nickel Smelters

At a Jiangsu Delong Nickel Industry subsidiary’s nickel smelting plant on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, workers battled over the weekend, killing two people, authorities reported on Monday.

According to Central Sulawesi police spokesperson Didik Supranoto, two workers—a Chinese and an Indonesian—died in a conflict that followed a protest organized by a labor union at PT Gunbuster Nickel Industry (GNI) smelter.

The demonstrators reportedly wanted improved wages and working conditions, according to local media. Didik reported that 71 people had been detained and that approximately 100 rooms at workers’ dormitories had been damaged, in addition to several corporate vehicles being set on fire. GNI’s operations have been put on hold, added Didik. He did not provide a resumption date. According to GNI, the business and police are looking into the event.

The company said it has “immediately begun an in-depth and thorough inquiry into the situations that have adversely affected all parties, both material and immaterial losses, and even fatalities” in conjunction with law enforcement officials.

The mineral-rich province of Sulawesi, where nickel, a key component of the batteries used in electric vehicles, has recently experienced a boom in investment, has occasionally seen violent protests.

Why Does The Cost Of Nickel Impact Stainless Steel Prices?

The market for electric vehicles is expanding quickly, and nickel use will increase. Currently, 1.5% of all vehicle sales are EVs. Don’t forget that stainless steel is nickel’s largest market as well. Demand rises to $20 billion annually. Around 60% of cars sold worldwide by 2040 might be electric vehicles. It is obvious that there will be a strong demand for nickel and copper throughout the following decades.

There are many different varieties of stainless steel. A sizable fraction of stainless steel, like 200 series stainless steel, is nickel-free. The 300 series stainless steel (marked by 304) that we use more frequently in engineering practice is primarily distinguished by having more than 8% nickel content.

The plasticity, toughness, weldability, and particularly corrosion resistance of stainless steel are all significantly enhanced by the addition of nickel. This metal has a very high value. Coins are made from it, and at the same time, it directly impacts how well stainless steel performs. The value of the other components in stainless steel is modest in comparison. One may say that the nickel content determines how much stainless steel with nickel costs. As a result, the price of it and stainless steel must be directly correlated.

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