We invited companies and individuals to comment on a summary of the findings from our chromium-6 investigation. Here are their responses:
PT Trimegah Bangun Persada (Harita Nickel)
Harita Nickel did not respond to The Gecko Project despite repeated requests for comment. The week after we wrote to Harita, the company posted an article to its website titled “Kawasi Spring Preserved, Residents: Clean Water is at Hand”. The article said that Harita conducts “periodic monitoring” of the spring and that its latest results showed it was safe to drink, with “very low levels” of chromium-6.
Lygend Resources & Technology
Lygend Resources & Technology did not respond to The Gecko Project despite repeated requests for comment.
Tonny Gultom, Director of Health, Safety and Environment, Harita
Tonny Gultom did not respond to The Gecko Project despite repeated requests for comment.
Younsel Roos, Director of Operations, PT Trimegah Bangun Persada
Younsel Roos did not respond to The Gecko Project despite repeated requests for comment.
CNGR Advanced Material Co.
"CNGR is currently conducting a comprehensive internal investigation and thoroughly reviewing all related processes. An official statement addressing this matter will be issued to all stakeholders by the end of this week [2 May, 2025]."
GEM Co.
GEM Co. did not respond to The Gecko Project despite repeated requests for comment.
Jiangsu Easpring Material Technology Co.
Jiangsu Easpring Material Technology Co. did not respond to The Gecko Project despite repeated requests for comment.
Huayou Cobalt
Huayou Cobalt did not respond to The Gecko Project despite repeated requests for comment.
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited
"CATL is committed to building and maintaining a responsible supply chain. CATL opposes and prohibits any forms of practices that endanger public health and the environment in the operations of CATL and our suppliers, and we actively work to create an open and transparent purchasing environment. CATL does not have direct business relations with Harita Group.
As a responsible company, CATL has established a comprehensive global compliance system and taken necessary measures to ensure responsible sourcing and compliance with industry and global standards. Our suppliers are subject to CATL’s rigorous due diligence protocols, which include third-party audits, on-site inspections, and continuous monitoring of environmental and social impacts. So far, no public health risks or environmental risks were detected in these entities.
It is worth noting that the global battery supply chain has significant overlap among suppliers in China, Japan, South Korea and Europe. No reputable company will tolerate environmental threats anywhere. CATL has developed a thorough and responsible mineral due diligence management system, grounded on the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas.
We firmly oppose any form of environmental negligence, and meticulously assess environmental risks within our mineral supply chain through the aggregation of reliable public data and the execution of on-site third-party audits, in line with international ESG standards. The audits indicate that CATL is unwavering in its commitment to building and maintaining a responsible, ethical, and sustainable global supply chain. Looking ahead, CATL is committed to enhancing our due diligence framework in alignment with the stipulations of the EU Battery Regulation, the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), and other pertinent regulations. We will focus our efforts on high-risk suppliers, providing support to enhance their management systems and bridge any gaps, thereby ensuring responsible business practices throughout our entire value chain. Building and maintaining a responsible global supply chain are issues that require collective efforts from the entire international community.
We look forward to working together with stakeholders, including NGOs, to enhance supply chain management practices and standards in a bid to build a global responsible mineral supply chain."
Tesla
Tesla did not respond to The Gecko Project’s requests for comment.
BMW
BMW did not respond to The Gecko Project’s requests for comment.
Mercedes-Benz
"For Mercedes-Benz, social responsibility and respect for human rights are the pillars of responsible corporate governance and key factors for our long-term success. We are working to ensure that our products only contain raw materials and other materials that were obtained and produced without violating human rights and environmental standards.
On account of the complexity of the supply chain and the variety of raw materials and other materials in our products, Mercedes-Benz takes a risk-based and strategic approach. To this end, we have developed a due diligence approach in the form of the Mercedes-Benz Human Rights Respect System.
We use a variety of measures and concepts for the management of our supply chain. We work closely with our direct suppliers and oblige them to pass on our Responsible Sourcing Standards within their supply chain. Further information with regards to measures taken can be found on our website, the Mercedes-Benz Sustainability Report and the Mercedes-Benz Raw Material Report.
With regard to your statements that you are going to publish, we would like to refer to the Mercedes-Benz Raw Material Report 2024, where we state that Indonesia has become the world’s largest producer of nickel and currently holds a share of 50% of total nickel production. Indonesia mainly has laterite ores requiring open-pit operations. To extract the nickel from the laterite ores, hydrometallurgical or pyrometallurgical techniques are required. These include High Pressure Acid Leach (HPAL) processes. Indonesia also processes the ore directly into a nickel intermediate (MHP), which has become a viable and cost-effective alternative to produce battery-grade nickel. We currently do not source Nickel directly. However, we map our Nickel supply chains in great detail in an ongoing process, as they are dynamic and complex. We have identified Indonesia in Mercedes-Benz supply chains and have prioritised three salient risk areas: working conditions, including occupational health and safety, community and indigenous rights and environmental risks with impact on human rights. In terms of environmental risks, in particular the disposal of toxic tailings from HPAL processing facilities is a relevant topic.
We have become aware of the allegations with regard to water pollution on Obi Island in 2022 and immediately have taken appropriate measures. Amongst other things, Halmahera Persada Lygend, a treatment unit, has been audited by RCS Global on behalf of Mercedes-Benz and has achieved solid results. Moreover, Mercedes-Benz has identified relevant indirect suppliers in the region, mines as well as processors, and respective audits have been conducted on behalf of Mercedes-Benz. Corrective action plans were derived from the audits and re-audits were scheduled. Harita Nickel will conduct an audit based on the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) assessment level 50 at the affiliated mine site in the upcoming weeks.
Indonesia has become an integral part of nickel supply chains worldwide and will continue to grow in importance in the coming years. Following our approach of empowerment before withdrawal, we aim for a collective action to strengthen ESG management practices in mining and processing in Indonesia. To achieve this, we are engaged in different projects that we describe in detail in our Mercedes-Benz Raw Material Report 2024. In addition, we are currently in contact with other OEMs to form alliances for effective measures to protect human rights in the production of nickel in Indonesia in the long term. The aim is to work together on concrete solutions for the local people."
Volkswagen
Volkswagen did not respond to The Gecko Project’s requests for comment.
General Motors
General Motors did not respond to The Gecko Project’s requests for comment.
Ford
Ford did not respond to The Gecko Project’s requests for comment.
Honda
Honda did not respond to The Gecko Project's requests for comment.
Toyota
"At Toyota, we value the principle of "respect for humanity" in all our corporate activities, guided by our policies as a global company that prioritize respect for human rights. We also ask our suppliers to adhere to Toyota's guidelines by respecting human rights and ensuring that they do not engage in any human rights violations."
Volvo
Volvo did not respond to The Gecko Project's requests for comment.
BNP Paribas Sekuritas Indonesia
BNP Paribas Sekuritas Indonesia did not respond to The Gecko Project despite repeated requests for comment.
PT Citigroup Sekuritas Indonesia
"At this time, we have no comment and no official statement to provide regarding the matter raised. Citi maintains a general practice of not commenting on specific clients, projects or transactions out of respect for client confidentiality."
PT Credit Suisse Sekuritas Indonesia
PT Credit Suisse Sekuritas Indonesia did not respond to The Gecko Project despite repeated requests for comment.
PT Mandiri Sekuritas
PT Mandiri Sekuritas did not respond to The Gecko Project despite repeated requests for comment.
PT UOB Kay Hian Sekuritas
PT UOB Kay Hian Sekuritas did not respond to The Gecko Project despite repeated requests for comment.
PT OCBC Sekuritas Indonesia
PT OCBC Sekuritas Indonesia did not respond to The Gecko Project despite repeated requests for comment.
PT DBS Vickers Sekuritas
PT DBS Vickers Sekuritas did not respond to The Gecko Project despite repeated requests for comment.