The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited Thiess to respond to allegations of human rights and environmental abuses of nickel mining and smelting in Indonesia as outlined in the Climate Rights International report. According to the report, Thiess “holds a IDR1.3 trillion (US$83.9 million) contract with WBN to support mining activities, including ore loading, hauling, and stockpile maintenance. The contract, which began in May 2023 and will run for four years, is Thiess’ first nickel operation in Indonesia. In addition, in August 2023, Thiess announced it had secured an A$240 million (US$157.3 million) contract with PT Halmahera Sukses Mineral to support mining activities for a period of 3.5 years.”

Thiess did not respond.