Raja Ampat Protected, Government Stop Mining Activities Before Starting

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia together with Cabinet Ministers Merah Putih and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya press conference at the Presidential Office, Presidential Palace of the Republic of Indonesia, Jakarta, Tuesday (10/6/2025). ANTARA/Andi Firdaus.

JAKARTA - The government has decided to revoke four mining business permits (IUP) in Raja Ampat Regency, Southwest Papua. This step was taken to preserve the Raja Ampat marine area, known as one of the most beautiful underwater tourist destinations in the world.

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia said this decision was taken directly by President Prabowo Subianto who paid special attention to the national marine park area.

"Mr. President has special attention and is serious about making Raja Ampat a world tourism and for the sustainability of our country," Bahlil said at a press conference at the Presidential Office, Indonesian Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Antara, Tuesday, June 10.

The four companies whose permits were revoked were PT Anugerah Surya Pratama, PT Nurham, PT Melia Raymond Perkasa, and PT Kawai Sejahtera. Based on the map presented by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the location of the mining permit is outside Gag Island but remains in a sensitive ecosystem area.

According to Bahlil, this revocation was carried out on a number of considerations. First, these permits are considered to violate environmental provisions that have been submitted by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.

"We also check directly in the field, we must protect these areas. This concerns the survival of marine biota and the conservation of coastal areas," he said.

In addition, several mining locations listed in the IUP are included in the Raja Ampat Geopark area which has been designated as UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGP) on May 24, 2023. These geoparks include four main islands: Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati, and Misool, as well as the waters around them.

Although the permits were issued before the determination of UGGp, the government assessed that the area should still be protected from industrial activities that have the potential to damage the environment.

No Mining Activities Yet

Furthermore, Bahlil explained that the four companies whose permits had not been granted had time to carry out mining activities. This is because they do not meet administrative requirements such as work plans and budgets (RKAB) as well as AMDAL documents.

"They don't have RKAB, they don't have AMDAL. So no production activities are carried out. This is a form of our anticipation before the damage occurs," said Bahlil.

This step, he said, is part of the government's commitment to maintaining a balance between development and environmental conservation, especially in areas that have high ecosystem value such as Raja Ampat.