Project threatens rare karst ecosystem and Indigenous livelihoods, critics say
JAKARTA, Indonesia — A group of Indonesians is challenging a planned limestone mine and cement factory by Heidelberg Materials, one of the world’s largest cement companies, under Germany’s supply chain law. The complaint argues that the company failed to properly assess and mitigate potential environmental and social harms from the project in the Kendeng Mountains of Central Java.
Bambang Sutikyo, one of the complainants, said the project poses risks to a rare karst ecosystem and to the livelihoods of nearby Indigenous communities. “If the project is implemented, we face an ecological catastrophe, impoverishment, and violations of our human rights,” Sutikyo said.
Katharina Plonsker, senior sustainability communication manager for Heidelberg Materials, said the company’s local subsidiary PT Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa was engaged in the permitting process and that the company provided opportunities for affected communities to express concerns. “Feedback from this exchange was reflected in the project planning,” Plonsker said.
Legal experts say the case adds to a growing number of cases that may influence how European businesses operate in Asia.