Indonesia Revokes Mining Permits of Four Companies in Raja Ampat
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JAKARTA, investortrust.id – The Indonesian government has revoked the mining licenses of four companies operating in the ecologically sensitive Raja Ampat region, citing severe environmental violations and illegal activities on small islands and protected forest areas.
The decision was made during a closed-door cabinet meeting led by President Prabowo Subianto on Monday, June 9, 2025, according to Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi. The revocations were announced on Tuesday at a press briefing at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, attended by senior ministers overseeing energy, forestry, and environmental affairs.
“This decision was taken following President Prabowo’s directive during a limited cabinet session. The government has decided to revoke the mining licenses of four companies operating in Raja Ampat,” Prasetyo stated.
The companies affected are PT Nurham, PT Anugerah Surya Pratama (ASP), PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining (KSM), and PT Mulia Raymond Perkasa (MRP). All four operate within the Raja Ampat Geopark, an internationally recognized conservation area known for its exceptional marine biodiversity and fragile ecosystems.
PT Gag Nikel, a subsidiary of state-controlled mining company PT Aneka Tambang (Persero) Tbk, was spared from the government's permit revocation as its operations are located outside the designated boundaries of the Raja Ampat Geopark. Among the five mining companies reviewed, Gag Nikel was the only one that had fully complied with regulatory requirements, including the approval of its work and budget plan (RKAB) through 2026.
A Protected Zone Under Threat
Raja Ampat Geopark, located in Southwest Papua, was designated a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2023. It spans over 8,000 square kilometers and includes more than 1,500 islands, making it one of the most biodiverse marine areas on the planet. The park’s protected status is intended to safeguard both ecological and cultural heritage, making industrial activity—particularly mining—highly controversial.
Despite its protected status today, many of the mining permits in question were issued by local governments prior to the 2020 revision of Indonesia’s Mining Law (Law No. 3/2020), which centralized authority over mining permits under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM). The revision aimed to close regulatory loopholes that allowed mining operations to proceed in sensitive or protected zones, often with inadequate environmental oversight.
Following the law’s enactment, the central government began reviewing legacy permits—especially those affecting small islands, forests, and geoparks—for compliance with environmental and zoning regulations.
Violations by Company
The announcement follows a field audit by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, conducted between May 26–31, which found multiple violations, including unpermitted forest encroachment, pollution, and mining on small islands — which are restricted under Indonesian law due to their fragile ecosystems.
PT Anugerah Surya Pratama (ASP)
ASP holds a mining permit covering 1,173 hectares on Manuran Island (746 hectares, small island category) and 9,500 hectares on Waigeo Island. Environmental monitors found a breached settling pond that caused sedimentation and suspected marine pollution. Moreover, part of ASP’s concession in Waigeo overlaps with the Waigeo Timur Nature Reserve. Legal proceedings, including criminal and civil lawsuits, are being considered.
PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining (KSM)
KSM operates on Kawe Island (4,561 hectares), with a permit covering 5,922 hectares. Its entire concession is within production forest. Inspectors found 5 hectares of mining activity outside the approved forest-use permit area. The government plans to revoke the company’s environmental permit and pursue criminal charges for illegal forest activity.
PT Mulia Raymond Perkasa (MRP)
MRP was conducting exploration on Manyaifun and Batang Pele Islands, both categorized as small islands. The firm’s activities included operating ten drilling machines in forest areas without the required permits. It also lacked any environmental approvals. The government has ordered the company to cease all operations immediately.
PT Nurham
A part of PT Nurham's operations were were confirmed to be within the geopark and lacking proper environmental documentation.
Protection of Small Islands
Under Indonesian law, mining on small islands is heavily restricted due to their ecological vulnerability. Raja Ampat, globally recognized for its marine biodiversity, has increasingly become a flashpoint in the debate between resource exploitation and conservation.
The Ministry of Environment and Forestry emphasized that the revocations send a clear message: “No compromise when it comes to the ecological integrity of small islands and protected forests,” said Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq.