PT Gag Nickel Temporarily Stops Operational Activities In Raja Ampat

Photo archive - Boat boat crossing the Piaynemo tourist area in Raja Ampat, West Papua. (ANTARA PHOTO/Akbar Nugroho Gumay/ama/aa.)

JAKARTA - PT Gag Nickel fully respects and accepts the decision of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, to temporarily suspend operational activities on Gag Island, Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua, until the field verification process is complete.

"Gag Nickel already has all operating permits and runs sustainability operations in accordance with the principles of Good Mining Practices. We are ready to submit all the supporting documents needed in the confirmation process to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources," said Acting President Director of PT Gag Nickel Arya Arditya in a statement reported by ANTARA, Thursday, June 9.

He understands the importance of transparency and compliance with all government regulations, especially those related to environmental protection and the welfare of the local community.

Gag Nickel is also operating outside the UNESCO conservation area or Geopark.

In addition, Arya also emphasized that the operational permit obtained by Gag Nickel was included in the Raja Ampat Mining Area in the regional spatial planning.

"Gag Nickel has also coordinated intensively with the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Forestry to monitor and monitor the running of mining operations," he said.

Since obtaining a production operation permit in 2017 and starting operations in 2018, Gag Nickel has implemented various sustainability programs, including the 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 have submitted 150 hectares in the assessment process, and 285 hectares in the maintenance process (P2)," he said.

Gag Nickel juga merelamasi area tambang mencapai 136,72 hektare (per April 2025), dengan penanaman lebih dari 350.000 pohon termasuk 70,000 pohon endemik dan lokal untuk mempercepat pemulihan ekosistem.

Conservation of coral reefs, he continued, through a 1,000 m2 coral reef transplant program carried out in the coastal area of Raja Ampat, by monitoring the quarterly by the internal team and annual supervision together with the Sorong Marine and Fisheries Polytechnic, as a form of industrial and academic synergy.

Gag Nickel also monitors environmental quality. Arya explained that data throughout 2024 showed 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 only 527 mg/L (quality: 200 mg/L), and Chromium VI levels are recorded at 0.030.07 mg/L (limit: 0.1 mg/L). The noise level across monitoring points does not exceed 70 dBA.

These steps show that Gag Nickel's commitment to carrying out exploration as well as nickel production can run in line with ecosystem conservation and local community welfare.

"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 Arditya.