Bahlil Confirms Only GAG Nikel Mine Still Operating in Raja Ampat
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia has affirmed that only one mine remains operating in Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua, namely PT GAG Nikel.
“I’ve already said that in Raja Ampat, the only permit still operating belongs to a state-owned enterprise, GAG Nickel,” Bahlil said when met at the Ministry of ESDM office in Jakarta on Monday.
Bahlil explained that GAG Nickel existed before he took office as Minister of ESDM.
As for the other mining permits in Raja Ampat, Bahlil said they had already been revoked by the government in 2025. Moreover, the previously revoked permits had been issued by regional heads, such as governors and regents.
“It’s not that the governors and regents were at fault either — the prevailing doctrine at the time was the law on regional authority. So no permits were issued by the central government,” Bahlil said.
The statement was in response to Greenpeace Indonesia. According to the organisation’s official website, the NGO’s report stated that at least three companies were processing nickel mining permits, with planned operational areas in the eastern part of Waigeo Island.
One of those three nickel companies was also attempting to activate a coal mining permit on Misool Island. In addition, there were two oil and gas companies operating on land and at sea around Salawati Island.
These findings demonstrate the extent to which the dirty energy industry threatens Raja Ampat, a region also known as ‘the last paradise on Earth’ and home to many Indigenous communities.
Regarding the matter, Director-General of Minerals and Coal at the Ministry of ESDM, Tri Winarno, said the government had revoked the mining permits in the Raja Ampat area, leaving only the permit for GAG Nickel.
“There used to be several, but they have been revoked. Only GAG Nickel remains,” said Tri Winarno.
In 2025, the government received complaints from the public regarding mining activity in Raja Ampat, as the area is a centre of biodiversity with an ecosystem vulnerable to potential pollution.
The government ultimately revoked four mining business permits (IUP) in Raja Ampat, as several of them overlapped with protected areas: PT Anugerah Surya Pratama, PT Nurham, PT Melia Raymond Perkasa, and PT Kawai Sejahtera.
Meanwhile, PT GAG Nikel, a subsidiary of PT Antam Tbk, was only temporarily suspended for review and an environmental audit. Subsequently, since Wednesday (3/9/2025), the company has been allowed to resume operations.