Rameen Malik’s 2024 master’s thesis at MIT’s Technology and Policy Program explores the complex dynamics involved in building sustainable nickel supply chains in Indonesia, aimed at supporting the rapidly growing electric vehicle (EV) battery sector. Through qualitative interviews with key stakeholder-mining companies, government regulators, local community representatives, and environmental NGOs—the work identifies critical barriers such as weak transparency, unclear community benefit-sharing, and fragmented decision-making processes. The research underscores the importance of including all voices, especially Indigenous and local actors, in order to legitimize nickel projects and ensure long-term stability.
Central to Malik’s findings is the role of institutional coherence and stakeholder coordination. The thesis argues that sustainable supply chains require not only technical and environmental standards but also well- defined governance structures that connect national policy frameworks with local execution. Misalignment between central authorities, regional governments, and community interests often results in uneven implementation of environmental safeguards, limited economic benefits for host communities, and regulatory confusion. Malik emphasizes that addressing these governance gaps—and creating spaces for multi-stakeholder dialogue—is essential to secure both operational legitimacy and ethical compliance.
The implications for critical mineral supply chains and social license practice are profound. Malik proposes policy strategies including enforceable community engagement protocols, transparent tracking of value distribution (royalties, local jobs, infrastructure), and integrated grievance mechanisms. These tools are designed to build mutual accountability and reinforce trust across various stakeholder groups. As global demand for ethically sourced EV metals increases, this thesis provides valuable blueprints showing how embedding stakeholder perspectives into supply chain design is not just socially responsible, but strategically vital for project viability and investor confidence.