Governing Nickel Mining in Wawonii Island

This study examines environmental governance in nickel mining on Wawonii Island, a low-density territory in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, under pressure from global energy transition demands. Using a qualitative case study approach, it analyzes interactions among regulatory frameworks, institutional capacity, and actor participation. The findings reveal a gap between regulations and implementation, driven by limited capacity, fragmented coordination, and unequal power relations between states, corporations, and communities. Despite legal interventions, enforcement remains inconsistent, allowing environmental degradation such as sedimentation and water pollution. Constrained public participation shifts into social conflict and legal resistance, undermining policy legitimacy. These dynamics show that governance effectiveness in low-density regions is shaped by contextual institutional realities. The research emphasizes territorial context and adaptive approaches to achieving sustainable development in extractive regions.