• The Harita Group, a major Indonesian conglomerate, persistently found high levels of the carcinogenic chemical chromium-6 in waters around its nickel mine, which opened in 2010.
  • The conglomerate’s own internal tests showed chromium-6 levels regularly breaching Indonesian legal limits for a decade.
  • Leaked emails show senior Harita executives were aware of the pollution since at least 2012.
  • Residents in the area say they received no warnings about pollution, and the conglomerate has repeatedly stated that local water is safe to drink.
  • Harita did not respond to repeated requests for comment. It has previously stated that its operations were in compliance with local environmental regulations, despite continuing internal reports of chromium-6 levels that exceeded legal limits. Harita also implemented a series of measures to control the pollution, including installing ponds to collect toxic runoff and carrying out chemical treatments.