KLH Finds Violations Of Environmental Rules In Nickel Raja Ampat Mine

Greenpeace activists voiced their rejection of the nickel mine in Raja Ampat on the agenda of the Indonesia Minerals Conference & Expo /ANTARA / Screenshot

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Environment (KLH) found a number of serious violations of environmental regulations and small island governance related to nickel mining activities in Raja Ampat and is evaluating the Environmental Approval of a number of companies.

" Mining on small islands is a form of expansion of the principle of intergenerational justice. KLH/BPLH will not hesitate to revoke permits if they are proven to damage an irreplaceable ecosystem," said the Minister of Environment (LH)/To the Environmental Control Agency (BPLH) Hanif Faisol Nurofiq as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, June 5.

He said the principle of caution and sustainability would be the basis for taking action against this violation.

The KLH/BPLH continued, Hanif had supervised nickel mining activities in the Raja Ampat area, Southwest Papua, on May 26-31, 2025.

This step was taken as part of law enforcement efforts and environmental protection in coastal areas and small islands that have important ecological value.

Companies that are the object of supervision are PT GN, PT KSM, PT ASP and PT MRP, all of which have mining business licenses. However, only PT GN, PT KSM, and PT ASP have approval for the Use of Forest Areas (PPKH).

He said the results of surveillance showed various serious violations of environmental regulations and small island governance.

PT ASP, a foreign investment company from China, is known to carry out mining activities on Manuran Island covering an area of approximately 746 hectares without environmental management systems and without running wastewater management. At this location, KLH/BPLH installed a warning sign as a form of stopping activities.

Meanwhile, PT GN operates on Gag Island with an area of approximately 6,030.53 hectares. Both islands are classified as small islands, so mining activities in them are contrary to Law Number 1 of 2014 concerning Management of Coastal and Small Islands.

KLH/BPLH are currently evaluating the Environmental Approval owned by PT ASP and PT GN. If proven to be contrary to applicable legal provisions, their environmental permit will be revoked.

In addition, PT MRP was found to have no environmental documents and PPKH in its activities on Batang Pele Island. All exploration activities were stopped. Meanwhile, PT KSM was proven to have opened mines outside the environmental permit and outside the PPKH area covering an area of 5 hectares on Kawe Island.

These activities, he explained, have caused sedimentation on the coast, and these companies will be subject to administrative sanctions in the form of environmental restoration and have the potential to face civil lawsuits.

Hanif stated that the decision of the Constitutional Court Number 35/PUU-XXI/2023 helped strengthen the policy of banning mining activities in coastal areas and small islands.

The Constitutional Court emphasized that mineral mining in these areas can cause irreversible damage, violating the principles of environmental hazard prevention and intergenerational justice.

Therefore, the government is committed to taking firm action against all forms of violations that endanger the environment and future of coastal areas of Indonesia.