16 April 2023

Today in Indonesia, Eramet is part of Weda Bay mining (WBN) operations with a minority indirect shareholding (39%) of Indonesian company PT Weda Bay Nickel ("WBN"), alongside the Tsinghan group (51%) and the Indonesian State via PT ANTAM (10%).

WBN operates a nickel ore mine and a nickel refinery plant on Halmahera island. WBN's operations are conducted in compliance with the authorisations granted by the Indonesian authorities.

Eramet currently, runs also the feasibility studies, in partnership with the German group BASF to develop in Indonesia a project of hydrometallurgical plant to process nickel and cobalt. This project is known as the Sonic Bay Project. The Sonic Bay Project is intended to be located on the central coastal region of Halmahera island.

On certain parts of Halmahera island, live the O Hongana Manyawa people, also called the Forest Tobelo people.

Forest Tobelo people have regularly and voluntarily visited WBN's camp since the exploration time. WBN has succeeded over the years in developing respectful interactions with Forest Tobelos, of which a few individuals may be living or passing by on or in the vicinity of WBN's concession, which covers 45,000 hectares. The mining operations is at the very beginning (less than 2% of the contract of work of Weda Bay Nickel have been started so far).

Studies conducted by experts have been carried out and continue to be carried out to ensure peaceful and respectful coexistence with the Forest Tobelo people. To date, there is no evidence suggesting that there would be uncontacted Forest Tobelo living in or around WBN's concession.

A study launched in 2022 is underway by a local anthropologist, familiar with Forest Tobelo people, to conduct fieldwork to update and complement previous studies.

Eramet who places community relations and corporate social responsibility at the hearth of its development, is determined to play its part in favour of the fundamental rights of local communities and firmly rejects any allegation to the contrary.

Eramet wishes to reaffirm its commitment to high standards as a responsible mining actor and to open dialogue with civil society. The NGO Survival has been informed by Eramet, that the management is willing to engage into constructive dialogue.

UPDATED RESPONSE:

Operations on Halmahera Island (Indonesia)

Reaction to Survival International's inaccurate allegations – April 16th, 2023

Update 10th May 2023

Wherever Eramet has operations, the Group is committed to respecting the human rights of the surrounding populations: social studies are routinely conducted to gain an understanding of the populations living in the vicinity of our mining concessions and to develop appropriate community engagement plans and mitigation measures. Eramet who places community relations and corporate social responsibility at the hearth of its development, is determined to play its part in favour of the fundamental rights of local communities and firmly rejects any allegation to the contrary. Eramet wishes to reaffirm its commitment to high standards as a responsible mining actor and to open dialogue with civil society.

The NGO Survival has been informed by Eramet, that the management is willing to engage into constructive dialogue. A first virtual meeting was held with Survival International and BASF at the end of April. We shared our views and exchanged on due diligence approach. We are willing to maintain an ongoing dialog with Survival International.

As part of its CSR action plan, Weda Bay Nickel has launched a dedicated new field study, currently ongoing in 2023 and led by a local anthropologist. The results of this study expected mi-2023 will enable PT WBN to design and implement, where necessary, appropriate mitigation measures and to improve its engagement with these communities.

Today in Indonesia, Eramet is part of Weda Bay mining (WBN) operations with a minority indirect shareholding (39%) of Indonesian company PT Weda Bay Nickel ("WBN"), alongside the Tsinghan group (51%) and the Indonesian State via PT ANTAM (10%).

WBN operates a nickel ore mine and a nickel refinery plant on Halmahera Island. WBN's operations are conducted in compliance with the authorisations granted by the Indonesian authorities. Eramet currently, also runs the feasibility studies, in partnership with the German group BASF to develop in Indonesia a project of hydrometallurgical plant to process nickel and cobalt. This project is known as the Sonic Bay Project. The Sonic Bay Project is intended to be located on the central coastal region of Halmahera Island.

On certain parts of Halmahera Island, live the O Hongana Manyawa people, also called the Forest Tobelo people. The Forest Tobelo are mixed groups of nomadic and semi-nomadic people living in the interior forests of the island.

Forest Tobelo people have regularly and voluntarily visited WBN's camp since the exploration time. WBN has succeeded over the years in developing respectful interactions with Forest Tobelos, of which a few individuals may be living or passing by on or in the vicinity of WBN's concession, which covers 45,000 hectares. The mining operations is at the very beginning (less than 2% of the contract of work of Weda Bay Nickel have been started so far).

Studies conducted by experts have been carried out and continue to be carried out to ensure peaceful and respectful coexistence with the Forest Tobelo people. To date, there is no evidence suggesting that there would be uncontacted Forest Tobelo living in or around WBN's concession.

A study launched in 2022 is underway by a local anthropologist, familiar with Forest Tobelo people, to conduct fieldwork to update and complement previous studies.