ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — Indonesia’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, has officially suspended the mining operations of PT GAG Nickel on Gag Island, located in Raja Ampat Regency, Southwest Papua Province.
The temporary halt comes in response to public concerns over potential environmental impacts and threats to the region’s world-renowned tourism areas.
“PT GAG Nickel is currently the only active mining company in Raja Ampat. To avoid misinformation and ensure full compliance with environmental regulations, we are suspending its operations pending the results of an on-site inspection,” Bahlil stated during a press conference in Jakarta, June 5, 2025.
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has dispatched an inspection team to Gag Island to carry out a comprehensive field verification. Minister Bahlil is also expected to personally visit the site in the near future.
He clarified that the nickel mining site is not located in Piaynemo, a major tourism icon of Raja Ampat, but rather on Gag Island, which lies approximately 30 to 40 kilometers away.
“Some media reports claim the mining is taking place in Piaynemo—that’s incorrect. I’ve visited Raja Ampat many times and I know the geography well,” he emphasized.
Legal Status and Ownership of PT GAG Nickel
PT GAG Nickel operates under a Contract of Work (CoW) issued in 2017 and began production after obtaining the legally required Environmental Impact Assessment (AMDAL). It is a subsidiary of PT ANTAM Tbk., a state-owned enterprise that acquired 100% ownership in 2008 by purchasing all shares from former stakeholder Asia Pacific Nickel Pty. Ltd.
The company’s mining concession spans 13,136 hectares, according to Indonesia’s official Mineral One Data Indonesia (MODI) system.
Minister Bahlil reaffirmed the government’s commitment to environmental protection while also emphasizing the importance of advancing downstream industrialization as a driver of national economic growth.
“We support responsible investment, but it must not come at the expense of sustainability. We must protect our environment while also promoting national development,” he concluded. (AT Network)
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