RAJA AMPAT – Nickel mining activities on Gag Island, Raja Ampat Regency, have been confirmed to have no impact whatsoever on the surrounding marine ecosystem or coastal areas.
This assurance was given by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) following direct monitoring of the waters around the operational area of PT Gag Nikel.
“We conducted dives there, and sedimentation was minimal, not disturbing the marine ecosystem,” affirmed Director General of Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance, Pung Nugroho Saksono.
He mentioned that coral reefs and fish populations, including juvenile sharks, remain healthy and well-preserved.
Pung also confirmed that the mining activities do not affect the main land of Papua due to the considerable distance.
“We ensure that neither the coral reefs nor the fish are disturbed. Fish are still abundant, and there are many baby sharks,” he said.
Gag Island is indeed the only nickel mining area in Raja Ampat whose operational permit remains valid, while the government revoked the permits of four other mining companies on June 10, 2025, due to proven environmental violations.
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, emphasized that the revocation of the four permits was carried out by the government following comprehensive considerations by President Prabowo Subianto.
“The President decided that the four permits outside of Gag Island are revoked,” said Bahlil during a press conference at the Presidential Office.
Nonetheless, the government affirmed that PT Gag Nikel’s operational permit continues to be strictly supervised, especially concerning environmental impact assessments (AMDAL) and coral reef protection.
“We will thoroughly monitor all matters related to Raja Ampat,” Bahlil asserted.
He added that although the permit was issued before the area was designated as a geopark, the preservation of Raja Ampat remains a national priority for the government.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of ESDM, Yuliot Tanjung, revealed that the KKP’s evaluation of PT Gag Nikel’s mining activities indicated good environmental management.
“The evaluation involved a field inspection team from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries,” Yuliot explained.
The government’s stance and tightened supervision of mining activities in Raja Ampat are concrete proof of their commitment to the marine and natural ecosystems there.
Thus, it has been proven that until now, all mining activities in Raja Ampat have not disturbed the marine ecosystem.*
