Jakarta: Indonesia has allowed a nickel mining company to resume operations in a pristine marine zone despite protests from activists and residents, according to AFP. The decision covers Gag island in the Raja Ampat archipelago of Southwest Papua Province, a world-renowned diving site located within the Coral Triangle.
PT Gag Nikel, a subsidiary of state-owned Aneka Tambang, restarted operations on September 3 after the government lifted a suspension imposed earlier this year, the agency reported. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources confirmed the resumption, saying environmental audits had been carried out.
Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said the firm had received a “green” rating from the government, signalling compliance with environmental standards. “We have once again reviewed all our data related to mining operations at Gag Nikel... An environmental audit was conducted to ensure that the impact caused by Gag Nikel can be properly mitigated,” he told reporters in Bali.
Hanif added that authorities would continue to monitor and supervise operations. “Of course... there will always be concerns. That is why we must balance development and environmental protection,” he said.
The government had in June revoked permits for four of five nickel mining companies in Raja Ampat after strong local opposition. Gag Nikel was initially exempted but was later suspended while environmental studies were undertaken, according to AFP.
Environmental groups remain critical. Greenpeace Indonesia warned that nickel mining threatens the region’s biodiversity, home to three-quarters of the world’s known hard-coral species. “The environmental impact will be irreversible, potentially causing the island to sink due to the rising climate crisis. Eventually, we risk losing the island itself,” Greenpeace campaigner Arie Rompas was quoted as saying.
According to Greenpeace, mining on Gag, Kawe and Manuran islands has already destroyed more than 500 hectares (1,200 acres) of forest and vegetation.
Indonesia holds the world’s largest reserves of nickel and is the biggest producer of the mineral used in stainless steel and electric vehicle batteries. Following a 2020 export ban, the sector has become central to the government’s industrial growth strategy.
PT Gag Nikel, a subsidiary of state-owned Aneka Tambang, restarted operations on September 3 after the government lifted a suspension imposed earlier this year, the agency reported. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources confirmed the resumption, saying environmental audits had been carried out.
Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said the firm had received a “green” rating from the government, signalling compliance with environmental standards. “We have once again reviewed all our data related to mining operations at Gag Nikel... An environmental audit was conducted to ensure that the impact caused by Gag Nikel can be properly mitigated,” he told reporters in Bali.
Hanif added that authorities would continue to monitor and supervise operations. “Of course... there will always be concerns. That is why we must balance development and environmental protection,” he said.
The government had in June revoked permits for four of five nickel mining companies in Raja Ampat after strong local opposition. Gag Nikel was initially exempted but was later suspended while environmental studies were undertaken, according to AFP.
Environmental groups remain critical. Greenpeace Indonesia warned that nickel mining threatens the region’s biodiversity, home to three-quarters of the world’s known hard-coral species. “The environmental impact will be irreversible, potentially causing the island to sink due to the rising climate crisis. Eventually, we risk losing the island itself,” Greenpeace campaigner Arie Rompas was quoted as saying.
According to Greenpeace, mining on Gag, Kawe and Manuran islands has already destroyed more than 500 hectares (1,200 acres) of forest and vegetation.
Indonesia holds the world’s largest reserves of nickel and is the biggest producer of the mineral used in stainless steel and electric vehicle batteries. Following a 2020 export ban, the sector has become central to the government’s industrial growth strategy.
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