Abstract
This paper discusses the positive and negative impacts of the tectonic and topographical patterns in the Indonesian region. The negative impacts are earthquakes and other geological disasters, while the positive impact is the abundance of nickel laterite resources, which can be a natural asset for the country if managed properly. Indonesia has 8% of the world’s nickel reserves, making it one of the largest nickel producing countries. However, the low utilization of these resources and the unavailability of smelters in several nickel mining areas indicate the need for geoscientists to improve their understanding of nickel laterite and update their knowledge on efficient exploration techniques. The formation of nickel laterite deposits is controlled by regional and local scale factors, such as climate, topography, tectonics, and the type of source rock and rock structure. In the geological exploration of nickel laterite, geological factors such as bedrock factors, regional tectonic patterns, topography, and geomorphology need to be considered and observed in the field. Two tectonic settings have been identified for the development of laterite nickel deposits: the accretion plain and the inactive island arc setting. Overall, understanding the management plan and optimizing natural resources can support the Indonesian mining industry.