Farmers fight for their land in nickel mining boom

Defending their land: Farmers Siki (right) and Wahusu (second from right), whose lands were taken illegally by mining companies, talking to a worker from the company as they continue to guard their lands on Wawonii island in southeast Sulawesi. — AFP

Three women with machetes stood guard at their farm hilltop on Indonesia’s Wawonii Island, directing their blades towards the nickel miners working in the forest clearing below.

“I pointed the machete at their faces. I told them: ‘If you scratch this land, heads will fly, we will defend this land to the death’,” said 42-year-old villager Royani, recounting a recent encounter with some of the miners.