JAKARTA - PT Gag Nickel fully appreciates all government steps, both Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Environment Hanif Faisol Nurofiq and also Governor of Southwest Papua Elisa Kambu and Regent Raja Ampat to oversee sustainable mining operations in Indonesia.
Acting President Director Arya Arditya explained that the presence of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Governor of Southwest Papua and the Regent of Raja Ampat to the operating area of PT Gag Nickel was a tangible manifestation of the government's presence in ensuring the fulfillment of community rights and ensuring that PT Gag Nickel's sustainable mining was carried out in supporting the national economy.
"We appreciate and are very grateful for the government's support, both Mr. Bahlil, Mr. Elisa and Pak Orideko who went directly to meet the community and see our operational situation. The same support also came from Mr. Hannif, as Minister of Environment and Forestry who continues to supervise the practice of sustainability and natural balance of our operational area," Arya said in an official statement, Monday, June 9.
Arya emphasized that PT Gag Nickel will continue to cooperate and uphold the principles of Good Mining Practices in mining operations.
Moreover, he continued, PT Gag Nickel is an extension of the government, because it is part of a State-Owned Enterprise (BUMN).
"We are also ready to support the steps taken by the Minister of Environment and Forestry in deepening efforts to restore the environment that has been carried out by Gag Nickel," said Arya.
The history of nickel mining on Gag Island has even lasted longer than the popularity of Raja Ampat as a tourist destination.
Geologically, this region is influenced by the Sorong Fault in the north, which is the crust of the Pacific Ocean, in the southern crust of the Australian Continent so that nickel minerals are formed through a lateritization process in the oceanic crust.
Arya ensured that the mining area was not included in the official limits of the Raja Ampat Geopark.
Based on official Geopark Raja Ampat data, the region includes four main islands: Waigeo (including the Wayag Islands at the north end), Batanta, Salawati, and Misool.
Because Gag Island is quite far from the four islands, PT Gag Nickel mining activities are certainly not in the Raja Ampat Geopark zone.
"We regret the hoax news circulating that PT Gag Nickel has damaged Gag Island. We have done various things in carrying out sustainable operations so as not to damage Gag Island," he continued.
In terms of waste management, he said, PT Gag Nickel has implemented procedures according to applicable mining standards. The procedures that have been implemented are operating a drainage system, pump pits, and a deposition pond to accommodate running water.
"The wastewater treatment process is carried out through five compartments as filters and sedimentation reservoirs, all water or runoff from the rain before entering the river body we first end it through five ponds, and we carry out a measurement of Total Suspended Solids (TSS) every day, after in accordance with the applicable provisions we will issue," said Arya.
In addition, PT GAG Nickel has also obtained technical approval from the Waste Water Quality Baku (BMAL) for the management of running water, as well as actively carrying out the rehabilitation of the Watershed (DAS) and the conservation of the surrounding coral reefs.
After the sedimentation shelter pool dried up, residual waste was transferred to a designated special shelter.
Since obtaining a Production Operation Permit in 2017 from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and starting operations in 2018, Gag Nickel has implemented various sustainability programs as follows:
1. Reclamation of Mining Areas
From 2018 to December 2024, the reclamation area reached 131.42 hectares, with the planting of more than 350.000 trees including 70,000 endemic and local trees to accelerate ecosystem recovery. With the advancement of a reclamation success assessment from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in 2022 of 56.19 Ha
2. Rehabilitation of Watersheds (DAS)
From 2018 to December 2024, we have rehabilitated 666.6 hectares of watersheds, with 231.1 hectares of plants successfully growing, and 150 hectares in the assessment process.
3. Karang Reef Conservation
The coral reef transplant program covering an area of approximately 1,000 m2 was carried out in the coastal area of Raja Ampat, with quarterly monitoring by the internal team and annual supervision with the Sorong Marine and Fisheries Polytechnic, as a form of industrial and academic synergy.
4. Monitoring of Environmental Quality
Data in 2024 shows that levels of SO2, NO2, PM10, and PM2.5 at pier points, mines, and pit locations remain well below the threshold. Mining waste water has stable pH (78), TSS is only 527 mg/L (quality base: 200 mg/L), and Chromium VI levels are recorded at 0.030.07 mg/L (limit: 0.1 mg/L). The noise levels across the monitoring points do not exceed 70 dBA.
SEE ALSO:
These measures show that Gag Nickel strives for the exploration and production of nickel to run in harmony with ecosystem conservation and the welfare of local communities.
"The operation of PT Gag Nickel in Raja Ampat is proof that mines and conservation can go hand in hand with the principle of responsibility," said Arya.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
