Enviro News Asia, Jakarta – The Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Indonesia / Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH) conducted supervision of nickel mining activities in the Raja Ampat region, Southwest Papua Province, from May 26 to 31, 2025.
This step was taken as part of efforts to enforce environmental laws and protect coastal areas and small islands with high ecological value.
In a press release, the Ministry of Environment stated that four nickel mining companies were the focus of supervision, namely: PT Gag Nikel (PT GN), PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining (PT KSM), PT Anugerah Surya Pratama (PT ASP), and PT Mulia Raymond Perkasa (PT MRP).
“All of them have Mining Business Permits, but only PT GN, PT KSM, and PT ASP possess Forest Area Utilization Approvals (PPKH). The supervision revealed various serious violations of environmental regulations and small island governance,” the official statement read.
PT Anugerah Surya Pratama, a foreign investment company from China, was found conducting mining operations on Manuran Island, covering approximately 746 hectares, without an environmental management system and without wastewater runoff treatment. At this site, KLH/BPLH installed a warning sign to cease all activities.
Meanwhile, PT Gag Nikel operates on Gag Island, covering approximately 6,030.53 hectares.
Both islands are categorized as small islands, making mining activities there contrary to Law No. 1 of 2014 on the Management of Coastal Areas and Small Islands.
KLH/BPLH is currently evaluating the Environmental Approvals held by PT ASP and PT GN. If found to be in violation of prevailing legal provisions, their environmental permits will be revoked.
Minister Hanif emphasized that the principles of caution and sustainability will be the basis for action against these violations.
“Mining on small islands is a denial of intergenerational justice. KLH/BPLH will not hesitate to revoke permits if there is proof of damage to irreplaceable ecosystems,” said Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq.
In addition, PT Mulia Raymond Perkasa was found to lack both environmental documents and Forest Area Utilization Approval (PPKH) in its operations on Batang Pele Island.
All exploration activities have been suspended. Meanwhile, PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining was found to be operating outside of its environmental permit and outside the designated PPKH area on 5 hectares of Kawe Island.
These activities have caused sedimentation along the coast, and the company will face administrative sanctions in the form of environmental restoration and may also be subject to civil lawsuits.
The Constitutional Court Decision No. 35/PUU-XXI/2023 further strengthens the policy prohibiting mining activities in coastal areas and small islands.
The Court emphasized that mineral mining in such areas can cause irreversible damage, violating the principles of environmental hazard prevention and intergenerational justice.
Therefore, the government remains committed to firmly addressing all violations that threaten the environment and the future of Indonesia’s coastal regions. *
