Bahlil Orders Nickel Mine in Raja Ampat to Halt, Gag Nikel Responds with Sustainability Defense

 

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JAKARTA, investortrust.id — Indonesia's Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia has ordered a temporary halt to nickel mining activities by PT Gag Nikel on Gag Island in Raja Ampat, West Papua, citing environmental concerns amid a growing public outcry. The move prompted a prompt response from the Antam subsidiary defending its sustainability track record.

 

PT Gag Nikel, a subsidiary of state-owned miner PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (ANTM), said it fully respects the ministerial order and is ready to cooperate with a comprehensive field verification process.

 

In an official statement on Thursday, Acting President Director Arya Arditya emphasized the company’s commitment to transparency and regulatory compliance, particularly in matters related to environmental protection and local community welfare.

 

“We are operating with full permits and in accordance with good mining practices. We are also prepared to present all supporting documents required for verification by the Energy Ministry,” Arya said.

 

Investigation Pending

 

Bahlil announced the suspension during a press conference in Jakarta, underscoring the need for a thorough, on-site investigation following viral images and reports of alleged environmental damage.

 

However, he clarified that the widely circulated visuals showing ecological degradation were from Piaynemo Island, a popular tourism destination roughly 30 to 40 kilometers from Gag Island. “We want everything to be clear. I will go down there myself,” Bahlil said.

 

“To avoid confusion, we’ve decided through the Directorate General of Mineral and Coal to temporarily stop the operations of Gag Nikel until the field verification is complete.”

 

Gag Nikel operates under one of five existing Contracts of Work (KK) in the Raja Ampat region and is currently the only active mining project. The company began production in 2018 after securing a production permit in 2017.

 

 

Sustainability Efforts

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In its response, Gag Nikel asserted that its concession lies outside the designated Unesco Geopark conservation area and complies with Raja Ampat's spatial zoning plans.

 

The company also said it has been coordinating with both the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Forestry for regular oversight.

 

Since operations began, Gag Nikel has undertaken a series of environmental programs. It has rehabilitated over 666 hectares of watershed areas, with hundreds of hectares already accepted or under review.

 

 

The company has also reclaimed more than 130 hectares of mined land and planted over 350,000 trees, including 70,000 endemic and native species. A 1,000-square-meter coral reef restoration initiative is ongoing along the coastline, monitored quarterly by internal teams and annually in partnership with the Sorong Marine and Fisheries Polytechnic.

 

Environmental quality indicators from 2024 showed air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter well below regulatory limits. Wastewater remained within acceptable parameters, with pH levels between 7 and 8, suspended solids between 5 and 27 mg/L, and chromium VI below the national threshold. Noise levels at monitoring points never exceeded 70 decibels.

 

Arya Arditya insisted that Gag Nikel’s presence in Raja Ampat demonstrates that mining and conservation can coexist responsibly when guided by strong principles of accountability.