A newcomer who is looming large in the nickel-mining business in Sulawesi is one Karlan Azis Manessa, better known as Haji Karlan (haji being the title for someone who has done the hajj pilgrimage- Ed). Karlan, 50, was born in Dungingis, Central Sulawesi. He has four companies owning a nickel mine measuring 14,847 hectares previously managed by PT Vale Indonesia.

Karlan obtained his nickel mining license not through auction, but through the lega