Media Framing of Environmental Pollution Caused by Nickel Mining in Southeast Sulawesi on Mongabay Indonesia

Abstract

Indonesia holds the world’s largest nickel reserves, mainly in Sulawesi and Maluku, positioning the 
mineral as a strategic resource for stainless-steel production and electric-vehicle battery development. 
Yet, the rapid expansion of nickel mining has intensified environmental problems, particularly in 
Southeast Sulawesi. This study examines how Mongabay Indonesia frames environmental pollution 
linked to nickel mining and analyzes the implications of such framing for public understanding. Through 
qualitative content analysis of seventeen articles published between 2023 and 2025, the study 
identifies dominant narratives, issue emphases, and representations of socio-ecological impacts. 
Guided by Entman’s (1993) Framing Theory, the findings show that Mongabay Indonesia consistently 
portrays nickel mining as a multidimensional environmental threat, highlighting water contamination, 
sedimentation, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and increasing vulnerability among coastal and 
Indigenous communities. The coverage frequently features community testimonies, scientific evidence, 
and critiques of weak regulatory enforcement. Overall, the study underscores the role of alternative 
environmental media in shaping discourse, amplifying affected voices, and influencing public 
perspectives within Indonesia’s ongoing green-energy transition.