ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – The UNESCO global geopark area, Raja Ampat in Southwest Papua is facing a serious threat with the expansion of nickel mining in the area.
This has triggered a movement of rejection from indigenous people in Raja Ampat district. In addition to destroying customary areas and ecology, the nickel mining industry also threatens environmental sustainability, and triggers social conflict among local communities.
For this reason, the community asked the regent and deputy regent of Raja Ampat district, Orideko Iriano Burdam and Mansyur Syahdan, to immediately evaluate mining permits in the area.
According to Elon Salomon Moifilit, chairman of the Regional Management of the Nusantara Indigenous Youth Front Moi Maya, Raja Ampat is not a place for nickel mining business. The mining business in Raja Ampat which is now expanding will threaten the lives of indigenous people there.
“Indigenous communities reject the expansion of nickel mining because it damages the ecology and triggers social conflict,” Elon said in his statement received in Jakarta, Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Elon stated that the Raja Ampat district government should not repeat the mistakes of the previous government which prioritized business interests over the rights of indigenous peoples and environmental preservation.
Therefore, he asked the elected regent and deputy regent for the 2025-2030 period to implement policies that favor indigenous peoples and protect the ecology of Raja Ampat.
“If extractive policies continue, Raja Ampat, which is rich in biodiversity, will turn into a mining business area that only benefits the oligarchy. People in developed countries enjoy electric vehicles made from nickel, while we in Papua have to bear the negative impacts for our children and grandchildren,” said Elon.
Eight Mining Permits
Previously, Yusuf Salim, regional secretary of Raja Ampat district, said that Raja Ampat district had obtained 8 nickel mining business permits, namely:
Gag Island: PT Gag Nikel has a concession area of 13,136 hectares, including 6,060 hectares of land and 7,076 hectares of water. In fact, the land area of Gag Island is only 6,500 hectares, so almost the entire island and surrounding seas are included in the exploitation area.
Kawei Island: PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining has an IUP of 5,922 hectares (valid 2013-2033).
Manuram and Waigeo Islands: PT Anugerah Surya Pratama controls an IUP of 9,365 hectares, with an additional 1,167 hectares on Manuram Island.
Manyaifun Island and Batang Pele: PT Mulia Raymond Perkasa has obtained an IUP covering an area of 2,194 hectares and has started conducting surveys and sampling since September 2024.
Anti-Mining Movement
This mining expansion has sparked a strong reaction from indigenous communities who are concerned about the environmental and social impacts.
They believe that the presence of mining will damage the ecosystem, trigger social conflict, and threaten the livelihoods of communities that depend on the fisheries, agriculture, and tourism sectors.
The strongest rejection movement occurred in several villages in West Waigeo. They questioned the presence of mining companies that seemed to be allowed to explore marine and forest conservation areas.
In addition to threatening the preservation of nature, the presence of mining also has the potential to threaten the order of life of indigenous communities that have long been preserved along with their culture and customs.
They also asked UNESCO and the central government to immediately take steps to protect Raja Ampat as a world Global Geopark so that it is not destroyed by the extractive industry.
“The provincial government of Southwest Papua and the Raja Ampat district government must immediately revoke all nickel mining permits that have been given to mining companies,” concluded Elon. (AT Network)
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