September 25, 2025 | 06:50 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Auriga Nusantara urges the Indonesian government to completely halt the mining operations of PT Gag Nikel on Gag Island, Raja Ampat Regency, West Papua. This demand arose after the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources announced the company's resumption of operations on September 3, 2025, following a temporary suspension due to public protests.
PT Gag Nikel, a subsidiary of PT Antam, was previously one of five companies whose permits were suspended on June 5, 2025. The four others were PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining, PT Mulia Raymond Perkasa, PT Anugerah Surya Pratama, and PT Nurham.
Researcher at the Directorate of Mining and Energy of Auriga Nusantara, Ki Bagus Hadikusuma, believes that the government's decision to allow PT Gag to resume operations could threaten the coral reef ecosystem in the Raja Ampat geopark area. He regrets the government's claim that Gag Island is located 40 kilometers outside the geopark area.
"The management of the geopark must consider its supporting areas. Its protection should not be solely based on territorial boundaries," said Ki Bagus during a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday, September 25, 2025.
According to him, PT Gag Nikel should be treated the same as the other four companies whose permits were revoked. As a state-owned enterprise subsidiary, PT Gag should set an example by not conducting mining activities in the vicinity of the geopark, which is rich in biodiversity.
Auriga also highlights the legal aspects. Gag Island, which covers an area of only 77.27 square kilometers, falls under the category of a small island. Mining activities in this area are considered to violate Law Number 1 of 2014 concerning the Management of Coastal Areas and Small Islands, as well as the Constitutional Court decision that prohibits mining on small islands.
According to a study by Auriga, mining activities in Raja Ampat resulted in the deforestation of up to 623 hectares between 2001 and 2008. As a result, the coastal areas and coral reefs around the mining site have suffered significant damage.
Auriga's observations also reveal significant deforestation on several islands where mining concessions have been granted, including Kawei, Gap, Batang Pele, Manyafun, and Manuran islands. Some companies are said to have left heavy equipment in the field, despite the formal cessation of mining operations.
"The ecosystem damage on these small islands shows that mining activities have massive impacts, not only on land, but also on the surrounding coasts and seas," said Ki Bagus.
Previously, the Ministry of ESDM stated that PT Gag Nikel, located in Raja Ampat, South West Papua, had resumed operations on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. This was based on the evaluation results of the Company Performance Rating Program (PROPER), which showed that Gag Nikel received a green rating.
A green rating, as explained by the Director General of Minerals and Coal at the Ministry of Energy, Tri Winarno, means that Gag Nikel has complied with all environmental governance and has empowered the community. "The decision involves cross-ministry deliberations, including with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries," said Tri as quoted by Antara.
As a result, PT Gag Nikel resumed operations after the government temporarily suspended operations at the PT Aneka Tambang Tbk subsidiary at the beginning of June. At that time, there were numerous complaints from the public regarding mining violations on small islands. The complaints evolved into the #SaveRajaAmpat movement, especially since the area is a marine conservation area and has been designated as a Geopark.
The government then revoked four mining business licenses (IUP) in Raja Ampat. Only one remained, belonging to PT Gag. President Prabowo Subianto requested Energy Minister Bahlil and his team to closely supervise the Environmental Impact Analysis (Amdal) and reclamation included in the work plan of PT Gag Nikel.
Editor's Choice: Why Is Indonesia Letting PT Gag Nikel Resume Mining in Raja Ampat?
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