Komnas HAM Flags Potential Human Rights Violations in Raja Ampat Mining

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has stated that there is a potential for human rights violations behind the nickel mining activities in the district of Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua. The Chairperson of Komnas HAM, Anis Hidayah, stated that the commission has taken initial steps to trace the mining activities there.

"Komnas HAM has also conducted an initial identification that the nickel mining activities in Papua certainly have a strong potential to cause human rights violations, especially in the field of the environment," she said during a press conference at the Komnas HAM building in Central Jakarta, on Friday, June 13, 2025.

According to the Internal Vice Chairperson of Komnas HAM, Prabianto Mukti Wibowo, Nickel mining activities that damage the environment contradict the right to a clean environment guaranteed in Article 28H paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution and Article 9 of Law Number 39 of 1999 concerning Human Rights.

Prabianto stated that small islands should not be used for mining activities, as stipulated in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). He said this is also regulated in Law Number 27 of 2007 concerning the Management of Coastal Areas and Small Islands.

The Commissioner for Monitoring and Investigation of Komnas HAM, Saurlin Siagian, stated that nickel mining activities in Raja Ampat have also caused conflicts among the residents. "The mining activities have triggered horizontal conflicts between the communities that reject the mining and those who support the mining activities," she said.

Furthermore, Komnas HAM will establish a team to monitor mining activities and their impacts firsthand. The commission will also summon the authorities responsible for enforcing human rights in Raja Ampat.

At least five companies are operating mines in the Raja Ampat archipelago. These companies include PT Gag Nikel, PT Anugerah Surya Pratama (ASP), PT Mulia Raymond Perkasa (MRP), PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining (KSM), and PT Nurham.

These five companies own six small islands that serve as nickel mining locations. PT Gag Nikel mines Gag Island; PT KSM mines Kawei Island; PT ASP mines Manuran Island; PT Nurham mines Waigeo Island; and PT MRP mines Batang Pele and Manyaifun Islands.

Komnas HAM noted that out of the five companies holding mining business permits (IUP), four have conducted mining activities on the small islands. "And one company, PT Nurham, has not yet conducted any activities on Waigeo Island," said Saurlin.

The government has revoked four IUPs out of the five companies, following criticisms sparked by their mining activities. The four companies whose IUPs were revoked are PT ASP, PT MRP, PT KSM, and PT Nurham.

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

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia stated that the IUPs of the four companies were revoked due to violations. This analysis is based on the Ministry of Environment's investigation. 

Nickel mining activities in Raja Ampat have drawn attention after Greenpeace Indonesia and the Raja Ampat Conservation Alliance voiced strong protests. They accused the nickel mining activities on five small islands, including Gag, Kawe, Manuran, Manyaifun, and Batang Pele, of violating Law Number 1 of 2014 concerning the Management of Coastal Areas and Small Islands, which prohibits mining on small islands with sensitive ecosystems.

An analysis by Greenpeace revealed that more than 500 hectares of forest have been damaged due to mining and sedimentation from these activities. The activities also threaten coral reefs and marine life. Even in a video released by Greenpeace, land clearing is seen in the middle of the island, suspected to be an active mining site.

Nandito Putra and Eka Yudha Saputra contributed to the writing of this article

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