CNN Indonesia
Friday, September 26, 2025
Jakarta, CNN Indonesia --Environmental organizations are calling for the revocation of all nickel mining permits to protect Raja Ampat's marine ecosystem, local food sources, and marine health.
The latest spatial analysis released by Auriga Nusantara and Earth Insight entitled 'Red Alert: Nickel Mining Threats to Raja Ampat' reveals evidence of environmental and coral reef damage due to nickel mining in Raja Ampat, which is known to be part of the Coral Triangle.
The report revealed that a number of nickel mining concessions totaling more than 22,000 hectares are damaging the UNESCO Global Geopark in Raja Ampat, threatening 2,470 hectares of coral reefs, 7,200 hectares of natural forest, and the livelihoods of more than 64,000 residents who inhabit this 3.66 million hectare regency.
"This investigation shows that nickel mining activities in Raja Ampat have created a chain reaction of damage—from deforestation, nickel mining sediments that damage coral reefs, to indications of the displacement of marine biota that are the mainstay of local communities' lives," said Timer Manurung, Chairman of Auriga Nusantara, in a press release on Thursday (25/9).
"The Indonesian government should recognize that the short-term profits from mining are outweighed by the long-term benefits of maintaining the integrity of the ecosystem that supports marine biodiversity and the tourism economy. We urge the government to immediately revoke all nickel mining permits in Raja Ampat, including PT Gag Nikel on Gag Island," Timer continued.
Timer explained that Raja Ampat, known as the "Crown of Marine Biodiversity," is home to 75 percent of the world's shallow-water coral reefs and more than 1,600 fish species. This archipelago, home to the largest manta ray habitat, is home to indigenous Papuans and local communities whose livelihoods depend on the marine and forest ecosystems for food and economic security, as well as for cultural identity.
Following public protests, Timer said, the Indonesian government announced the revocation of four nickel permits in Raja Ampat in June 2025. However, to date, no decree regarding the revocation has been published. Nor is there any visible plan to restore the environment to the damage that has occurred.
The Raja Ampat District People's Representative Council (DPRK) conducted an investigation on Mayifun Island and Batang Pele by gathering input from the local community regarding alleged nickel mining activities that are damaging the natural ecosystem in the area.
(Greenpeace Archive)
In fact, the nickel mining permit on Gag Island issued by the Indonesian Government from the UNESCO Global Geopark as of September 3, 2025, is stated to continue operating.
"The nickel mine in Raja Ampat represents a threat facing more than 280 small islands in Indonesia, burdened with 380 mining permits," Timer said.
Earth Insight Spatial Analyst Tiffany Hsu added that the escalation in nickel mining is occurring as Indonesia attempts to become "a kind of OPEC for nickel" to meet the growing global demand for electric vehicles. However, the report shows how nickel mining in ecologically sensitive areas, such as Raja Ampat, is causing widespread damage, not just at the mine site.
"Raja Ampat is one of the richest marine ecosystems on the planet. However, our findings show that this ecosystem is threatened by the nickel mining industry, which is harmful to coral reefs, the marine ecosystem as a whole, and the local population," said Tiffany.
"While the government's recent announcement of permit revocations is a positive step, the continued existence of nickel mining in Raja Ampat, along with the legal uncertainty surrounding its revocation, indicates that this world treasure is far from secure. Full protection of the Raja Ampat ecosystem can only be achieved by revoking all existing mining permits," he stressed.
The report documents the extensive damage that has occurred on several islands with nickel mining permits in Raja Ampat. On Kawei Island, traditional fishermen reported that noise and vibrations from mining have displaced fish that are essential for local food. Meanwhile, on Manuran Island, sediment clumps have been observed burying coral in the waters.
8 threats
Auriga Nusantara and Earth Insight identified at least eight threats in their report as follows:
1. Potential for massive damage. There are nickel mining concessions covering more than 22,000 hectares in Raja Ampat. Of the total 7,761 hectares of natural forest within the small islands with nickel mining permits, 7,200 hectares, or 92 percent, are within the nickel mining permit area. Within a 12-nautical-mile radius, there are 6,700 hectares of coral reefs, and 36 percent (2,400 hectares) are within a 5-km radius or at high risk of being impacted by nickel mining.
2. Increased mining area expansion. Mined areas in Raja Ampat expanded three times faster between 2020 and 2024 than in the previous five-year period.
3. Threats to endangered marine biota. Threats posed by nickel sediment and noise pollution will impact marine biota such as manta rays, including Mobula birostris, the world's largest manta ray species, five protected sea turtle species, including the endangered hawksbill turtle, and other marine biota.
4. Double marginalization. More than 64,000 local residents were not fully involved in the issuance of nickel mining permits, while they bear the brunt of the environmental impacts.
5. Destruction of people's livelihoods. Traditional fishermen claim that noise and vibrations from mining have driven away fish and dolphins.
6. Unclear permit revocation. Although the Indonesian government announced the revocation of four nickel mining permits, there is no authentic evidence in the form of a published decree. It is also unclear how and who is responsible for restoring the already damaged environment.