A Series of Facts About the Raja Ampat Nickel Mine Chaos: Between Community Voices, Greenpeace’s Attitude, and Bahlil’s Statement

In May 2025, the environmental organization Greenpeace protested at the Critical Minerals Conference in Jakarta. In their action, they highlighted nickel mining activities in the Raja Ampat region, Southwest Papua, which is known as one of the areas with the highest marine biodiversity in the world.

Greenpeace expressed concern about the ecological and social impact of the mining industry in the region, especially on small islands and indigenous communities who depend on marine resources and tourism for their living.

So, what are the main demands that Greenpeace submitted to the government?

Greenpeace Demands: Permanent Protection for Raja Ampat

Greenpeace Indonesia voiced the following 3 demands:

#1 Evaluate and revoke nickel mining permits in Raja Ampat

#2 Review the nickel industrialization policy in Indonesia

#3 Stop making people suffer because of nickel industrialization policies

Nickel mining activities are said to be starting to disrupt the natural balance of Raja Ampat, starting from small islands being dredged to the marine ecosystem being threatened with damage. Greenpeace warned that if not controlled, mining could pollute water sources and hit the tourism sector.

So, what is the actual history of mining permits that is in the spotlight?

Mining Permit in Raja Ampat: Who and Since When?

Five companies are registered as having nickel Mining Business Permits (IUP) in the Raja Ampat region:

However, nickel mining activities by PT Gag Nickel temporarily stopped by Bahlil since June 5, 2025. This is due to the large number rejection from the public and environmental activists related to concerns over potential damage to the Raja Ampat ecosystem. The government decided to carry out direct inspections for field verification.

GAG Island Turns Out Outside the Geopark Area!

Raja Ampat Geopark is a special area in the form of a group of karst islands located right on the equator. However, it was discovered that PT GAG Nickel was outside the Raja Ampat Geopark conservation area. However, four other mining companies, namely PT ASP, PT MRP, PT KSM and PT Nurham are in the area.

So, how has the government responded to the demands of Greenpeace and the community?

Government Response: Evaluate, Revoke, and Affirm Regulations

On June 9 2025, the President through a limited meeting decided to revoke the IUPs from 4 companies because spatial and administrative violations were found. As a result, only PT Gag Nickel was deemed to comply with applicable legal and environmental provisions.

“And I saw the photos when I reviewed it, thank God it complies with the AMDAL, so it is also part of state assets,” said Bahlil, at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday (10/6/2025).

What is the government’s statement in more detail regarding the sustainability of mining permits that are still active?

Voices from Raja Ampat

Community responses to mining activities in their area are quite varied. There are parties who concerns regarding the long-term impact on the environment, but there are also parties who feel that living side by side with PT GAG is their livelihood.

“PT Gag’s IUP must be revoked. If it is not revoked, we will continue to voice this demand. What we are voicing is to protect the future of Raja Ampat. If nickel mining continues, environmental sustainability and the social and cultural continuity of the local community will be destroyed,” said Alfian Tebai, Chair of the Papua Sriwijaya Student Community.

“I got a message from the people of Gag Nickel Island to convey it to Minister Bahlil, they don’t want the Minister to close the mine, that’s what the people want,” said Raja Ampat Regent, Orideko Burdam, on Monday (9/6/2025).

Beware of Hoax Images: Mines are not on Piaynemo Island

Amid widespread criticism of mining activities in Raja Ampat, several The photos and videos circulating on social media apparently do not come from the Raja Ampat areadoesn’t even come from Papua.

Fahrur Rozi, member of the board of commissioners of PT GAG, emphasized that PT Gag Nickel’s nickel mining activities are on Gag Island, not in popular tourist areas such as Piaynemo or Misool, and have had permits for a long time.

“Many edited photos are circulating, as if a nickel mine is side by side with a panorama of Raja Ampat. That’s misleading,” he said.

The Middle Way Between Ecology and Law

The mining case in Raja Ampat reflects the complexity between environmental protection, indigenous people’s rights and legal certainty. The government has taken steps to revoke four IUPs deemed to be in violation, but has maintained PT Gag Nickel’s permit because it is considered valid and not in a protected area.

Even so, this issue still leaves homework in the form of the need for stricter spatial planning, strengthening the participation of indigenous communities, as well as transparency in the process of granting and monitoring permits. In critical minerals, it is important for Indonesia to maintain a balance between resource sovereignty and preserving high-value ecosystems.