Indonesian Govt Revokes Nickel Mining Licenses in Raja Ampat Amid Public Outcry

17 hours ago 3

Nickel mining activities on Manuran Island, Supnin District, Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua, August 27, 2024. Sumaryanto Bronto/Greenpeace

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has officially revoked four nickel mining business permits in Raja Ampat Regency, Southwest Papua, following widespread public criticism. At least five companies are involved in mining activities in the Raja Ampat islands: PT Gag Nikel, PT Anugerah Surya Pratama (ASP), PT Mulia Raymond Perkasa (MRP), PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining (KSM), and PT Nurham.

"Upon the President's instruction, the government will revoke mining permits for four companies in Raja Ampat," said State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.

The day prior, President Prabowo Subianto held a limited meeting with his ministers at his private residence in Desa Bojongkoneng, Hambalang, Bogor, West Java, on Monday, June 9, 2025. A Tempo source familiar with the meeting's agenda revealed that the discussion, attended by Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, and Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni, focused on nickel mining in Raja Ampat. The source indicated that Prabowo intends to halt nickel mining in the region.

"Prabowo wants to stop nickel mining," the source told Tempo on Monday, June 9, 2025.

Mining activities in Raja Ampat have ignited public debate after Greenpeace Indonesia and the Raja Ampat Nature Conservation Alliance voiced strong protests. They assert that nickel mining on five small islands, namely Gag, Kawe, Manuran, Manyaifun, and Batang Pele, violates Law Number 1 of 2014 concerning the Management of Coastal Areas and Small Islands, which explicitly prohibits mining on small islands with sensitive ecosystems.

Greenpeace's analysis reported that over 500 hectares of forest have been damaged due to mining and related sedimentation. These activities also pose a significant threat to coral reefs and marine life. A video released by Greenpeace even depicted land clearing in the middle of an island, suspected to be an active mining site.

In response, ESDM Minister Bahlil Lahadalia stated that PT GAG Nikel's mining operations in Raja Ampat are not within a conservation area. He clarified that the mining site is on Gag Island, approximately 30 to 40 kilometers from Piaynemo Island, a renowned tourist destination in Raja Ampat.

"Many people say the mine is on Piaynemo, which is incorrect. The mine is on Gag Island, quite far from there. I know because I often go to Raja Ampat," Bahlil said in a written statement on Friday, June 6, 2025.

He decided to temporarily halt the operations of PT GAG Nikel starting from Thursday, June 5, 2025, pending direct field verification. "For now, we will stop it until we check the conditions directly in the field."

Hendrik Yaputra, Nandito Putra, and Riri Rahayu contributed to the writing of this article.

Editor’s Choice: Here Are Greenpeace's Highlights on the Impact of Nickel Mining in Raja Ampat

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News

Raja Ampat Visitors on the Rise in Last Five Years

15 jam lalu

Raja Ampat Visitors on the Rise in Last Five Years

The majority of tourists visiting Raja Ampat come from abroad.

Former Indonesian Minister Named CEO of Nickel Miner Amid Raja Ampat Controversy

17 jam lalu

Former Indonesian Minister Named CEO of Nickel Miner Amid Raja Ampat Controversy

Former minister Freddy Numberi is CEO of PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining, a nickel permit holder in Raja Ampat.

Prabowo Aware of Environmental Concerns Over Nickel Mining in Raja Ampat, Says Minister

18 jam lalu

Prabowo Aware of Environmental Concerns Over Nickel Mining in Raja Ampat, Says Minister

Minister Bahlil Lahadalia mentioned that President Prabowo Subianto has known about the polemic regarding nickel mining activities in the Raja Ampat region. Here's Prabowo's response.

Timika Bishop Blames Oligarchic Greed for Environmental Damage in Raja Ampat

18 jam lalu