Bahlil Reveals The Reason The Government Did Not Revoke PT Gag Nickel's KK In Raja Ampat

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia (Photo: Doc. VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia revealed the reason the government only revoked 4 of the 5 mining business permits in force in Raja Ampat Regency. The four companies whose permits were revoked were PT Anugerah Surya Pratama, PT Nurham, PT Mulia Raymond Perkasa and PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining. Meanwhile, PT Gag Nickel was not revoked.

According to Bahlil, the reason the government did not revoke PT Gag Nickel's Work Contract (KK) was because PT Gag was considered to have carried out all mining processes in accordance with applicable principles.

"For PT GAG, because of that, he carried out a mining process which according to the evaluation results of our team was very good, and earlier you saw the photos," Bahlil told the media crew, Tuesday, June 10.

Bahlil added that the coverage of PT Gag Nickel was also in accordance with the Analysis on Environmental Impacts (AMDAL).

"So that because it is also part of the state assets as long as we monitor it properly, the president's direction must be closely monitor the environment," continued Bahlil.

On the same occasion, Bahlil also denied the involvement of the 7th President Joko Widodo who was accused of being involved in mining in Raja Ampat.

Bahlil said that actually mining permits in Raja Ampat Regency had been issued long before the Joko Widodo administration.

"That doesn't exist, how about that? Those are the permits issued long before Pak Jokowi's administration," continued Bahlil.

According to him, the 4 IUPs that were revoked were all issued in 2004 and 2006 before Jokowi became President and his mining permit was issued by the local government.

"Meanwhile, PT Gag since 72, Contract Karya. Since 98 years of his work contracts, in the New Order era. So nothing at all," said Bahlil.

For information, PT Gag Nickel is a Generation VII Contract holder (KK) with an area of 13,136 hectares on Gag Island and has entered the Production Operation stage based on the Decree of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources No. 430.K/30/DJB/2017 which is valid until November 30, 2047.

The company already has AMDAL (Environmental Impact Analysis) documents in 2014, then AMDAL Addendum in 2022, and Type A A A A AMD Addendum published last year by the Minister of Environment and Forestry.

Meanwhile, IPPKH (Lending and Using Forest Area Permit) was issued in 2015 and 2018. Work Area Arrangement (PAK) was issued in 2020. Until 2025, the total mining openings reached 187.87 Ha, with 135.45 Ha having been reclamationd. PT Gag Nickel has not disposed of waste water because it is still waiting for the issuance of an Operational LIKE Certificate (SLO).