Indonesia’s
Ministry of Environment has officially closed the nickel mining
operations conducted by PT Anugerah Surya Pratama (PT ASP) in Raja
Ampat, an ecologically sensitive archipelago in Southwest Papua,
Kompas reports. The mining site, covering 109.23 hectares,
was sealed by government enforcement officers, with an official
closure notice placed on site. Environment Minister Hanif Faisol
Nurofiq announced the action during a press briefing at the Pullman
Hotel in Central Jakarta on June 8.
This
decision followed evidence of significant sediment build-up and
increased water turbidity along the coastline, both directly linked
to the mining activities. Minister Hanif underlined the severity of
the environmental damage and stressed the company’s
accountability.
The
ministry has directed the local government, specifically the Raja
Ampat Regent, to review the environmental permits originally issued
to PT ASP. Legal action is also planned against the company,
including criminal and civil proceedings.
This move
comes shortly after Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral
Resources suspended nickel mining on nearby Gag Island, another part of
Raja Ampat, where PT Gag Nikel, a subsidiary of state-owned PT
Aneka Tambang, operates. Although PT Gag Nikel had secured the
required environmental approvals and had been active since 2018,
growing concerns over damage to this biodiversity-rich Coral
Triangle region have prompted stricter regulatory scrutiny.
Indonesia
is under increasing pressure from lawmakers and environmental
groups to prioritise the protection of Raja Ampat’s unique marine
ecosystem and promote sustainable tourism over extractive
industries. Balancing economic growth with environmental
stewardship remains a critical challenge.
Still,
there's an uncomfortable truth to face. Indonesia is playing a key
role in the global push for cleaner transport by supplying nickel
for electric vehicle batteries. But in doing so, it risks damaging
some of its most fragile and valuable ecosystems, like those in
Raja Ampat. If stronger protections aren’t put in place, the drive
for green energy could end up costing the country its natural
treasures.
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