Environmental Arrangement Is Considered Good, Deputy Minister Of Energy And Mineral Resources Says Gag Nickel Will Return To Operation

Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Yuliot Tanjung. (Photo: Maria/VOI)

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Yuliot Tanjung revealed that a subsidiary of PT Antam Tbk, PT Gag Nickel will operate again. Just so you know, Gag Nickel's mining activities have been stopped by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia since last June 5. Meanwhile, PT Gag Nickel is the only company whose mining permit has not been revoked in Raja Ampat.

Yuliot said the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources coordinated with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) which also conducted a direct review of Gag Island.

"So based on integrated recommendations from ministries/agencies, we will tell you later how to fulfill the requirements in PT Gag. But from the KKP, it conveys that in terms of environmental planning, it is quite good," he said, quoted on Saturday, June 21.

For information, PT Gag Nickel has a mining permit in the form of a work contract (KK) that is valid until 2047. The company received approval from the Work Plan and Expenditure Budget (RKAB) for the production of nickel 3 million wet metric tons.

Meanwhile, the new President Director of PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (ANTM), Achmad Ardianto, revealed that as a company with the largest shareholder being the government, his party is still waiting for government directives regarding the continuation of mining activities in Raja Ampat Regency. Moreover, he said, PT Gag Nickel had been carrying out exploration activities for a long time.

"With the issue that yesterday developed, of course we as BUMN will always follow what the government orders," he told the media crew quoted on Friday, June 13.

He continued, even though he was the only company that escaped the revocation of the menambag permit in Raja Ampat Regency, he ensured that the company would still undergo a number of evaluations from the government. He emphasized that Gag Nickel would not be reckless in carrying out mining activities.

"We are BUMN, we are an extension of the government, we do not want and have never had the intention to carry out an operation which of course contradicts good mining rules," he said.