Indonesia has revoked the mining permits of four nickel ore companies in the Raja Ampat region following widespread protests over environmental concerns, according to a Reuters report.
The Raja Ampat region, a UNESCO Global Geopark known for its rich marine biodiversity, has been the target of protests, leading to the government’s decision to protect the area from further ecological damage.
Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia was quoted as saying: “We need to protect these areas by paying attention to marine life and conservation.”
Lahadalia stated that the permits for Nurham, Kawei Sejahtera Mining, Anugerah Surya Pratama and Mulia Raymond Perkasa were cancelled, effective Tuesday.
According to the report, the four companies, which operate on islands within and around Raja Ampat, were not granted production quotas due to unmet administrative requirements, rendering them currently inactive.
In contrast, Gag Nikel, a subsidiary of Aneka Tambang and the only nickel miner in production within the area, retained its permit as it operates outside the geopark.
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By GlobalDataGag Nikel’s activities were temporarily halted last week amidst the protests, with the Energy Ministry yet to confirm if this suspension has been lifted.
The government has pledged to monitor Gag Nikel’s operations, including its adherence to regulations. Aneka Tambang reported that Gag Nikel has undertaken reforestation and coral reef conservation efforts.
Parent company Wanxiang Nickel Indonesia, along with the other affected companies, has not commented on the permit revocations, the report said.
Additionally, the Morowali Industrial Park, a significant nickel production site in Indonesia, has come under increased scrutiny after a landslide in March interrupted operations.
The incident has sparked debate over the safety of high-pressure acid leaching nickel extraction methods, which, while cost-effective and less carbon-intensive, produce substantial tailings that require meticulous waste management.
