In Accordance With The Constitutional Court's Decision, The Ministry Of Energy And Mineral Resources Evaluates Mines On The Small Islands Of Raja Ampat

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia/ Photo: Political.id

JAKARTA Following up on the Constitutional Court Decision (MK) Number 35/PUU-XXI/2023 which emphasized the ban on mining activities in coastal areas and small islands, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) conducted an evaluation of five mining companies operating in the Raja Ampat area, Southwest Papua.

Quoted from ANTARA, Sunday, June 8, this step is part of the government's commitment to ensure that all mining activities in sensitive areas run in accordance with applicable legal provisions, particularly related to environmental protection and the sustainability of coastal ecosystems.

The Director General of Mineral and Coal (Minerba) of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Tri Winarno, stated that the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia had assigned mining inspectors to thoroughly evaluate mining operations on small islands in the Raja Ampat region.

"Later, we will also assign the mining inspector to see firsthand the conditions on other islands, to ensure that their activities are in accordance with the decision of the Constitutional Court," Tri said while accompanying Minister Bahlil during a working visit to Gag Island, Raja Ampat, quoted on Sunday (8/6/2025).

The Constitutional Court's decision emphasizes that mining activities should not be carried out in coastal areas and small islands in order to preserve the environment and sustainability of coastal communities that are vulnerable to being affected by extractive activities.

One of the areas that has been the focus of evaluation is Gag Island, a nickel mine site managed by PT Gag Nickel since obtaining a production operation permit from the central government in 2017. In addition, Kawe Island also had time to become an active mining site until it was stopped operating in 2024 after producing around 700 thousand tons of mining material.