Minister Bahlil Visits Gag Island After Halting Nickel Mine, Residents Urge Operations to Resume
Main Takeaways
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GAG ISLAND, RAJA AMPAT, Investortrust.id – Indonesia’s Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia landed on Gag Island in Raja Ampat on Saturday, June 7, 2025, to personally inspect the halted operations of PT Gag Nikel, a nickel mining company owned by state miner PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (ANTM), or Antam.
The minister’s visit followed his earlier decision to suspend mining activities on the island amid concerns over environmental degradation. On the ground, however, Bahlil was greeted by dozens of residents pleading for operations to continue.
"Is the news true or not?" Bahlil asked residents during the visit, referring to media reports alleging environmental damage. When he asked whether the mine should be shut down, residents responded emphatically: “Don’t close it, sir—we still depend on it for our livelihood.”
One resident, Friska, directly refuted reports that the island had been damaged, saying, “There’s no truth to that. Our seas are clean, the stories that Gag Island is ruined are hoaxes.”
Residents welcomed Bahlil with banners reading, “Our seas are clean, the news about Gag’s destruction is a hoax,” and praised the island’s natural state: “Our sky is blue, our sea is blue, our fish are abundant, our nature is rich.”
Bahlil said his visit aimed to assess the situation objectively and hear directly from the community. “I came here to make sure operations are running properly without harming the environment. I’m happy to meet the people here,” he said.
Public and Political Scrutiny
PT Gag Nikel began operations in 2018 under a mining permit issued in 2017. The company holds a production license covering 13,136 hectares valid through 2047. It is the only one of five contract holders in Raja Ampat currently in operation; the other four are still in the exploration stage.
The visit comes amid mounting scrutiny. Environmental groups have criticized mining in Raja Ampat—a globally renowned ecotourism destination—due to its potential impact on fragile ecosystems.
Minister Bahlil previously stated that he would summon all mining license holders in the area, regardless of whether they are state-owned or private, for a regulatory review. “I’ll evaluate the operations and call in the owners,” he said earlier this week in Jakarta.
Adding to the tension, Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said his ministry was also reviewing mining activities in Raja Ampat and considering legal action. “We’ve already done mapping and will head there soon,” he said in Bali on Thursday, June 5.
Bahlil suggested that viral images showing environmental damage may not even depict Gag Island but Piaynemo, a nearby tourist site. “From what I’ve read, the photos may actually be from Piaynemo, which is about 30 to 40 kilometers from Gag,” he explained.
DPR Signals Support for Suspension
Back in Jakarta, the House of Representatives also weighed in. Bambang Patijaya, Chair of Commission XII of the DPR, voiced support for the minister’s decision to halt the mine’s operations. “This shows a strong commitment to regulation and responsiveness to public concern,” he said.
Bambang confirmed that Commission XII had identified five mining permits issued in the region, some dating back to 2017. He stressed the importance of ensuring regulatory compliance and conducting field verification. “We’ve also heard that the Environment Ministry’s law enforcement division (Gakkum) has already conducted inspections. Their findings should guide the minister’s next steps.”
He added that Commission XII would monitor developments closely and use the results of the environmental ministry’s investigation to form future policy recommendations.