Indonesia halts nickel mining in Raja Ampat because the environmental risk is too high
Indonesia has temporarily blocked activities in a natural paradise in West Papua after protests from local communities and environmentalists. Greenpeace reports serious violations and irreversible damage to the legally protected ecosystems of the small islands. The area is home to 75 per cent of the world's coral reefs and relies on ecotourism.
Jakarta (AsiaNews) – Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia has ordered a temporary halt to nickel mining in Raja Ampat Regency, Southwest Papua Province, a place known as the "Last Paradise". The decision comes in response to growing protests urging a halt to mining activity.
On 5 June, Minister Bahlil said that Gag Nickel is the only company operating in the region, even though five permits have been granted. The mining site is located 30-40 km from the tourist area of Piaynemo.
“To avoid confusion, we have decided to suspend the operations of PT Gag until a field verification is completed,” Bahlil said.
Haryanto, a former mining employee, said that the mine's location is "far from tourist areas."
By contrast, Greenpeace Indonesia challenged the minister's move, calling it a way to de-escalate the protests. “From behind his desk, Bahlil can still authorise operations. This is just a tactic to buy time and defuse the issue," the environmental group said.
Between 26 and 31 May 2025, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry inspected mining operations in Raja Ampat, targeting four companies: Gag Nickel, Kawei Sejahtera Mining, Anugerah Surya Pratama, and Mulia Raymond Perkasa.
While all have legal operating permits, only three had permits to use the forest area.
Raja Ampat Regent Orideko Burdam waded into the situation, expressing concern about environmental pollution caused by nickel mining.
He noted that 97 percent of the regency’s land is set aside as a conservation area, yet local authorities have very limited power over mining permits, which are issued by the central government. “We can do nothing because our authority is limited,” Orideko explained.
The Ministry of Environment and Forestry also found serious violations of the Environmental and Small Island Management Law.
A Chinese foreign-invested company called ASP was found to be mining nickel in an area covering 746 hectares of Manuran Island without any environmental or wastewater management systems.
As for Gag Nickel, the company operates on 6,030.53 hectares on Gag Island, which is also classified as a small island and is home to around a thousand residents.
According to Greenpeace, mining activities are taking place on four islands with Gag Nickel operating on Gag Island, thanks to a mining contract issued in 2017.
The company's concession covers 13,136 hectares, about 20 per cent of which has already been cleared. The other activities involve the islands of Kawe, Batang Pele and Manuran.
Greenpeace claims that such mining activities violate Law No. 1/2014 on Coastal Areas and Small Islands Management, which prohibits mining if it risks causing environmental damage or harming local communities.
The organisation also documented evidence that over 500 hectares of forest and native vegetation have been cleared on the islands in question.
Although the damage may seem small compared to oil palm plantations, the impact on the ecosystems of such small islands is devastating. "These islands often measure only a few hundred hectares and could literally disappear," Greenpeace stressed.
In a statement, Gag Nickel said that it "fully respects and accepts the decision of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources" pending verification on the ground.
For Greenpeace, the environmental damage can be clearly seen from the sedimentation since the mud generated by clearcutting has impacted the coastline, particularly around Gag Island.
The environmental organisation explained that the environmental rehabilitation of these islands is almost impossible, making reforestation efforts futile.
“Even if you try to plant new trees, they will be blown away by the strong winds that sweep the island. Reclamation simply does not work here,” Greenpeace said in a statement.
Ecotourism contributes significantly to the Raja Ampat’s economy. In 2020, it generated 7 billion rupiah (around US$ 430,000).
The regency comprises 610 islands, 35 of which are inhabited, with Misool Island famous for its pristine marine ecosystems.
The region is also home to 75 per cent of the world's coral reef species, 1,400 species of fish, 700 species of molluscs, and giant manta rays, making it a major diving destination.
.png)
27/02/2016 16:18
17/01/2023 14:40
02/08/2023 18:59
