By Olivia Miwil
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has embarked on a project to extract nickel from the soil using hyperaccumulator plants.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the initiative marks another milestone in the state's biodiversity research.
"This project focuses on environmental sustainability and the efficient use of resources through innovative phytoextraction technology, involving the use of Sabah's hyperaccumulator plants to extract nickel from the soil.
"It is expected to generate positive impacts for local communities through employment opportunities, economic activities, long-term agricultural contracts and ecotourism integration.
"It will also send a strong signal to researchers, investors and international industries to explore the vast potential of Sabah's bioeconomy," he said at the 2026 Sabah Best Biodiversity Research Awards ceremony at a hotel here last night.
His speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam.
Hajiji said the project began following the signing of the first Benefit Sharing Agreement between the Sabah government and Botanickel Sabah Sdn Bhd in September last year.
Hyperaccumulator plants are species that naturally absorb and store unusually high levels of metals such as nickel from the soil without being damaged.
Phytoextraction is the use of plants to remove metals from the soil, helping clean contaminated land while allowing the metal to be recovered.
Nickel is a critical mineral used mainly in stainless steel and electric vehicle batteries. It is also important for renewable energy, electronics and advanced manufacturing, making it a strategic resource for the global clean energy transition.
Meanwhile, Hajiji said Sabah continues to be a premier destination for biodiversity research.
He said the DaMaI Forest, comprising Danum Valley, Maliau Basin and Imbak Canyon, is a world-class biodiversity research hub attracting local and international researchers.
He added increasing applications for the State Biological Resources Access Licence under the Sabah Biodiversity Enactment 2000 reflect Sabah's position as a leading regional research centre.
He said research has led to discoveries including new species identification, habitat documentation and conservation approaches.
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