Sorowako – The Loeha Raya Pepper Farmers Association (APL) has submitted an official letter to PT. Vale Indonesia Tbk. The letter was also received directly by the external division of PT Vale Indonesia in Sorowako (Monday, October 14, 2024).

The letter was delivered directly by the Chairman of APL, Ali Kamri Nawir and the Secretary of APL, M Risal. The APL letter contains a request to evacuate the nickel mining exploration camp owned by PT. Vale Indonesia in the Tanamalia block.

Ali Kamri Nawir said in his press statement that pepper farmers in Loeha and Ranteangin had discussed and decided that PT Vale Indonesia should immediately vacate the nickel mining exploration camp in the Tanamalia block. Because until today all farmers and women in Loeha Raya have rejected PT. Vale Indonesia’s nickel mining expansion in the Tanamalia block.

“We ask PT. Vale Indonesia to immediately vacate the camp in the Tanamalia block, the request to vacate is the result of a meeting of farmers in Loeha Raya,” said Ali Kamri.

The Loeha Raya community, said Ali Kamri, was concerned about the meeting held by PT. Vale Indonesia which was held at Loeha Village Office on October 2. Where the meeting, which was supposed to be a participatory dialogue, actually resulted in various actions that did not reflect the spirit of openness and public participation.

“The meetings held by PT. Vale Indonesia have never involved the entire Loeha Raya community who have rejected mining activities,” he said.

The Loeha Raya community hopes that the letter can be used as a consideration by PT. Vale Indonesia to stop its nickel mining expansion plan and respect the rights of farmers and women who have lived from the pepper plantations in the Lumereo or Tanamalia Mountains. Moreover, the results of the Loeha Raya community deliberation agreed to reject all forms offered by PT. Vale Indonesia.

“The rejection of all forms of CSR offered by PT Vale Indonesia to us is the result of a deliberation by the Loeha Raya community. The attitude of farmers and women must be considered and respected by the CEO and even investors of PT Vale Indonesia seriously,” he continued.

In addition to visiting and handing over a letter of vacating the nickel mining exploration camp of PT Vale Indonesia, APL and women fighters in Loeha Raya also had a dialogue with the Chairperson of Regional People’s Representative Assembly in east luwu.