Walhi Slams Gov't over PT Gag Nikel's Ongoing Operations in Raja Ampat

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia recently announced the revocation of Mining Business Licenses (IUP) for four of the five companies operating in Raja Ampat.

The licenses of PT Anugerah Surya Pratama, PT Mulia Raymond Perkasa, PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining, and PT Nurham have been revoked. However, PT Gag Nikel (a subsidiary of PT Antam Tbk) is still permitted to operate within a 13,136-hectare concession area.

“This policy is questionable. Although the revocation of four mining permits is a positive step, the fact that PT Gag Nikel is still allowed to operate on a small island demonstrates the government's half-hearted attitude in protecting the Raja Ampat ecosystem,” said Fanny Tri Jambore, Head of Walhi’s Campaign Division, in a written statement on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.

“According to regulations, there should be no mining activities on small islands that may potentially damage the environment,” Fanny added.

She emphasized that mining on small islands poses serious risks to both the ecosystem and the livelihoods of local communities, as these areas have limited environmental carrying capacity and resilience. Mining activities, she said, not only degrade terrestrial ecosystems but also endanger marine life, which many communities depend on for their livelihoods.

Fanny pointed to Pulau Gag as an example of ecosystem degradation due to mining. Citing the 2021 Papua Land Expedition report by Kompas, she noted that residents have reported a drastic decline in fish populations. “The coastal areas that were once called ‘fish breeding grounds’ have now turned into nickel material loading docks,” she said.

She also warned of the health risks caused by mining-related dust. Strong winds carry dust from mining sites into residential areas, causing respiratory issues. “Another complaint is the concern for skin diseases due to seawater pollution,” she added.

Pulau Kawe, which spans less than 50 square kilometers and lies close to the West Waigeo Marine Nature Reserve, is also under threat. The island holds strategic ecological value as part of the broader Raja Ampat ecosystem.

“Over time, mining activities will erode the existence of Pulau Kawe, which should be protected due to its strategic position within the Raja Ampat ecosystem,” Fanny said.

She criticized the lack of regulatory enforcement, stressing that mining on small islands violates existing laws. “Even though the government argues that Pulau Gag is not included in the Raja Ampat Geopark Area, the mining activities conducted by PT Gag Nikel there still violate Law Number 27 of 2007 as amended by Law Number 1 of 2014 concerning the Management of Coastal Areas and Small Islands. Because Pulau Gag falls into the category of small islands, mining activities are not a priority, and are prohibited as stipulated in Article 1 point 3, Article 23 paragraph (2) and Article 35 letter K,” she said.

Fanny further referred to Supreme Court and Constitutional Court decisions that have upheld the prohibition of mining on small islands, classifying it as “abnormally dangerous activities” with irreversible consequences, specifically Supreme Court Decision No. 57 P/HUM/2022 and Constitutional Court Decision No. 35/PUU-XXI/2023.

“Therefore, the mining activities conducted by PT Gag Nikel should be deemed contradictory to environmental protection laws, specifically for coastal and small island areas,” she said.

She also warned that Indonesia’s vulnerability to extreme climate events increases the urgency to safeguard small islands. Continued mining, she argued, would endanger their long-term sustainability and the wellbeing of their inhabitants.

“Our concern is that if PT Gag Nikel’s activities are allowed to continue, the dismantling of mountains and excavation of mining pits on Pulau Gag will become more massive,” she said.

Maikel Peuki, Director of Walhi Papua, voiced additional concern, warning that indigenous Papuan communities could be displaced to larger islands, losing their ancestral land. “Especially the future generations will lose their identity, homeland, local culture, and the beauty of Papua’s natural wealth,” he said.

Maikel urged the government to conduct a full-scale review of all mining permits on small islands—not just revoke a select few. According to Walhi’s data, at least 248 mining permits remain active across 43 small islands in Indonesia.

“If this is allowed to persist, in the long run the coastal ecosystems and the lives of local communities will be increasingly threatened, adding to the list of Indonesian small islands that have sunk or disappeared,” he said.

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