Indonesian Minister Temporarily Halts Nickel Mining in Raja Ampat

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, has temporarily suspended nickel mining operations by PT Gag Nikel in Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua. The company's Mining Business License (IUP) was suspended as of Thursday, June 5, 2025.

This decision follows the widespread rejection of nickel mining in Raja Ampat by environmental activists and civil society groups, who cited threats to the region's delicate ecosystem.

"For the time being, we will halt its operations until field verification. We will check," Bahlil said at the ESDM Ministry on Thursday, June 5, 2025.

PT Gag Nikel is a subsidiary of PT Antam Tbk, a state-owned enterprise. Bahlil noted that the company's production IUP for nickel mining in Raja Ampat was issued in 2017, with operations commencing a year later. "An Environmental Impact Analysis (Amdal) was already in place before operations began," added the General Chair of the Golkar Party.

Previously, strong opposition to nickel mining in Raja Ampat was vocalized by Greenpeace Indonesia at the Indonesia Critical Minerals Conference & Expo held at the Pullman Hotel on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Kiki Taufik, Global Head of Forest Campaigns for Greenpeace Indonesia, asserted that the Raja Ampat region would suffer irreparable damage if mining activities were allowed to continue. He highlighted the destructive impact the nickel industry has already had in areas such as Halmahera, Wawonii, and Kabaena, emphasizing that similar activities are now encroaching upon Raja Ampat.

"Currently, five islands are already being exploited. Yet, this area is a global geopark and the most popular underwater tourist destination. Approximately 75 percent of the world's best coral reefs are found in Raja Ampat, and they are now beginning to be damaged," he explained.

Greenpeace's investigation last year uncovered mining activities on Gag Island, Kawe Island, and Manuran Island. These islands are classified as small islands, which, according to Law Number 1 of 2014 concerning the Management of Coastal Areas and Small Islands, should not be subjected to mining.

Greenpeace's analysis further indicates that mining activities on these three islands have caused damage to over 500 hectares of natural forests and vegetation. Field documentation also revealed soil runoff flowing into coastal areas, leading to sedimentation that poses a severe threat to coral reefs and the broader marine ecosystem.

Nandito Putra contributed to the writing of this article.

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