PT Gag Nikel Beroperasi Sejak Tahun 2017 di Raja Ampat, Aktivis Greenpeace: Pemerintah Lemah!

Summary

Green Peace Indonesia criticizes the devastating environmental impact of nickel mining in Raja Ampat, Papua, focusing on islands like Gak and KW. The mining threatens biodiversity, including coral reefs, and jeopardizes the region's tourism potential. While the Indonesian government temporarily halted mining operations, activists demand stricter enforcement of laws protecting small islands. The debate centers on balancing industrial development with environmental conservation, as the mining industry, supported by state-owned PT Antam, faces opposition. The conversation underscores the urgent need for policy action to protect Raja Ampat’s natural heritage.

Takeaways

• 😀 Greenpeace Indonesia criticizes the environmental impact of nickel mining in Raja Ampat, Papua, particularly near the island of Gak, which is 40 km from the popular tourist spot of Pianemo.
• 😀 Nickel mining operations on the island of Gak and nearby islands threaten the area's natural beauty and ecosystems, including turtle conservation sites.
• 😀 Greenpeace Indonesia's activist, Iqbal Damanik, protests the destructive effects of nickel mining by holding a poster that reads 'Nickel Mines Destroy Lives' during a public discussion on June 3, 2025.
• 😀 Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, states that mining activities on Gak Island are temporarily suspended for further verification, but insists that the mining site is 30-40 km from tourist areas.
• 😀 Despite the claims that the mining site is far from tourist destinations, Greenpeace and other environmental advocates argue that the environmental damage is already severe and visible.
• 😀 Environmental damage caused by nickel mining includes deforestation, sediment runoff, and coral destruction in Raja Ampat, particularly around Pulau Gak.
• 😀 Greenpeace points out that there are five active mining licenses in Raja Ampat, violating regulations that prohibit mining in small islands, as stipulated by Indonesian law and reinforced by the Constitutional Court.
• 😀 The mining operations, including those of PT Gak Nickel, are mainly owned by state-owned enterprises such as PT Antam, raising concerns about government accountability in addressing environmental harm.
• 😀 The mining issue in Raja Ampat is also discussed in the Indonesian Parliament's Commission 7, which recently visited the area. The committee acknowledges the environmental damage and calls for a reevaluation of mining activities.
• 😀 Greenpeace and the Indonesian government are at odds over the urgency of the situation, with Greenpeace emphasizing that the damage is already severe, while the government seeks to further evaluate the situation, citing legal frameworks and national interests.

Q & A

What is the main criticism raised by Green Peace Indonesia regarding the nickel mining industry in Raja Ampat?

Green Peace Indonesia criticizes the large-scale nickel mining industry in Raja Ampat, Papua, as it is harming the beauty of the region and the environment, particularly in areas like Pulau Gak and Pulau KW, which are in close proximity to tourist sites like Pianemo.

How close is the nickel mining operation to Raja Ampat's main tourist areas?

The nickel mining operation in Pulau Gak is located around 30 to 40 km from the famous tourist destinations like Pianemo in Raja Ampat.

What environmental issues are associated with nickel mining in Raja Ampat?

The mining has led to deforestation, sedimentation, and destruction of coral reefs, with significant damage to biodiversity, including the world's largest concentration of coral reefs in Raja Ampat.

What actions has the Indonesian government taken regarding the nickel mining issue in Raja Ampat?

The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), has temporarily halted the mining operations of PT Gag Nickel in Raja Ampat pending a field verification process to evaluate the environmental impact.

What did Green Peace Indonesia's activist, Iqbal Damanik, do during the Indonesia Minerals and Expo event?

Iqbal Damanik, an activist from Green Peace Indonesia, protested by raising a poster that said 'Nickel Mines Destroy Lives' and shouting slogans like 'Save Raja Ampat' and 'Papua is not empty land'. He was then escorted out of the event by security personnel.

Why does Green Peace Indonesia consider the mining in Raja Ampat to be so harmful?

Green Peace Indonesia argues that the mining operations have caused irreversible damage to the environment, including significant deforestation and damage to the coral reefs, which threatens the biodiversity and the local tourism industry.

What is the current deforestation impact in Raja Ampat due to mining activities?

As of now, mining activities in Raja Ampat have resulted in the deforestation of 500 hectares of land, with 300 hectares occurring on Pulau Gak alone.

What is the status of the mining operations on Pulau Gak?

Mining activities on Pulau Gak are temporarily halted by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, pending further environmental assessments.

What is the legal stance on mining in small islands like those in Raja Ampat?

According to Indonesian law (Law No. 1 of 2014, Article 35), mining activities are prohibited on small islands, and the decision of the Constitutional Court reinforces this legal framework.

What is the role of PT Antam in the mining operations on Pulau Gak?

PT Antam, a state-owned company, is the majority shareholder in PT Gak Nickel, which operates the nickel mining activities on Pulau Gak in Raja Ampat.