July 9, 2025
Raja Ampat – Raja Ampat is home to 75% of the world’s coral species and a popular dive site, the “Last Paradise” became the subject of global dialogue in late May, when environmental group Greenpeace managed to raise an imminent threat to Nickel Mining’s marine biodiversity.
The threat is obvious: a 2022 study conducted by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources estimates that deposits of 482 million tons of nickel ore can be found in calm waters of Raja Ampat in the southwestern Papua province.
From a perspective, the latest data show that the production of nickel ore nationwide reached 137.8 million tons in 2023, which is the peak year for nickel mining.
After Greenpeace Indonesia campaign in May, militants including the group attacked the National Mineral Conference, the public learned that the government had granted five companies licenses to conduct nickel mining operations at Raja Ampat, some of which have been operating there for years.
The movement spread and, after a huge protest, the central government decided to revoke four of the five licenses granted to local companies.
Raja Ampat’s mining operations have caused controversy because it is believed to violate the 2014 law on coastal areas and island management, which prohibits mining on small islands. Articles in the law stipulate that only activities of protection, education, research, marine cultivation, tourism, fishery, organic agriculture and defense are allowed on small islands.
The law defines an island as a small island, with a size of less than 2,000 square kilometers and is surrounded by a piece of water. The companies operating in Raja Ampat are mainly companies mined on islands of only 6,000 hectares, with a size of 60 square kilometers.
In addition to the legal definition, public outcry is directed at the impact of the mining industry on Raja Ampat and his surroundings.
Due to the characteristics of nickel sediments found on the islands of Raja Ampat, mining methods involve removal of pristine rainforests and the waste from mining processes can potentially irreversible damage to marine habitat.
These potential impacts have become a source of debate for two camps in Raja Ampat’s local community, who benefit from mining and advocate for nature conservation.
On the one hand, the economic benefits that mining companies bring to local communities are a tangible benefit, but on the other hand, mining activities can threaten the livelihoods of those who rely on tourism and fisheries, and the well-being of ecosystems that we all rely on.
The tension reached a consensus shortly after the Department of Energy revoked its licenses for four mining companies operating in the region, with one of the boot camps trying to stop the progress of the other.
Some members of the community have achieved peace, but others are still fighting for what they think is best for their people.
In this context Jakarta Post In late June, a visit to Raja Ampat was to see what was actually happening on the ground, talk to relevant stakeholders in the conflict, and experience tensions firsthand.
