Latest news with #RajaAmpat
ABC News
21-06-2025
- ABC News
Battle to save Indonesian 'paradise' as nickel industry expands into Raja Ampat in Papua
With its crystal-clear waters and picturesque islands, Raja Ampat — often described as "the last paradise on Earth" — has long been a dream destination for tourists. But this archipelago off Indonesia's east coast has emerged as the latest battleground between groups at odds over the country's nickel industry. For Indigenous Papuan man Matias Mambraku, Raja Ampat, or the "Four Kings", is more than just a paradise. "It's so important not only because of its beauty, but [because] it provides us a livelihood," Mr Mambraku told the ABC. "Many of us here are fishermen, so we really depend on the water, it can fulfil our everyday needs." The archipelago of 1,500 islands, cays and atolls are a UNESCO Global Geopark because of the historic limestone karst rock formations that jut out of the sea. The area is also home to some of the most diverse marine life on earth, said Australian conservationist Lynn Lawrence. With the organisation that she founded with her husband, The Sea People, Ms Lawrence has been trying to restore and protect Raja Ampat for more than a decade. She said over 75 per cent of the world's known hard-coral species, 1,800 reef fish and five endangered turtle species are among the significant sea life here. However, conservationists said the archipelago's delicate ecosystem is being sacrificed to support Indonesia's burgeoning renewable energy industry. Indonesia is the biggest refiner of nickel in the world. Over the past decade the rapid expansion of the industry — to support the electric vehicle and green energy transition — has created opportunities for some while leaving others struggling to get by. Ms Lawrence does not agree with calling Raja Ampat "the last paradise" on earth. "Raja Ampat doesn't need to be admired for what it still has; it needs to be protected for what it still gives," she said. Greenpeace Indonesia has been campaigning to protect Raja Ampat and released an investigation into nickel mining in the area earlier this month. The report revealed nickel mines are responsible for least 550 hectares of deforestation across three islands: Manuran Island, Gag Island, and Kawe Island. "Forests have been destroyed, and rainwater runoff now carries sediment from the cleared areas," Greenpeace said in its report. "This is causing reef-smothering elevated turbidity in the sea, evident as discolouration of water near jetties and mines." Shortly before the Greenpeace research was released, the Indonesian government revoked four of the five active licences within the UNESCO geopark. The government's decision came after a national outcry over nickel mining in Raja Ampat, and in response to a popular social media campaign, "#SaveRajaAmpat". Indonesia's mines minster, Bahlil Lahadila, said at the time the decision to revoke the mining permits was due to "environmental violations" within the UNESCO geopark. The one remaining permit not revoked by the government is on Gag Island. It's held by Gag Nickel, a subsidiary of the Indonesian state-owned mining company Aneka Tambang, which is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. Arie Rompas from Greenpeace Indonesia urged the government to revoke the Gag Nickel permit. "There must be a formal decision to ensure that the revocation is actually carried out," Mr Rompas told ABC. He warned the government had reactivated mining permits it had revoked in the past. The ABC contacted Gag Nickel, Aneka Tambang and multiple Indonesian government ministries but did not receive a response. Gag Island is about 43 kilometres from Piaynemo — a famous cluster of karst formations that feature on an Indonesian bank note. Global Forest Watch reported that between 2017 and 2024, deforestation caused by nickel mining on Gag Island reached 262 hectares. Nickel ore mined on Gag Island is loaded onto barges and transported to be refined at the Weda Bay Industrial Park (IWIP) on Halmahera Island, North Maluku, Greenpeace said. According to public reports from Aneka Tambang, Gag Nickel's parent company, ore from Gag Nickel is processed by Tsingshan, a large Chinese-run subsidiary operating within IWIP. IWIP is an integrated mineral industrial complex backed by investment from three huge Chinese companies, which have proliferated since former Indonesian president Joko Widodo first banned the export of unprocessed minerals in 2014. The ban "ushered in a new era of growth and prosperity for the people of Indonesia," the Indonesia Chamber of Commerce Madam Chairperson, Arsjad Rasjid, told the ABC in 2023. But a study from Indonesian not-for-profit organisation Nexus3 and Tadulako University on the pollution around IWIP showed alarming results. Published in May, the study results are based on tests run on water, blood and fish samples taken around Weda Bay in July 2024. Water samples from the main river which serves as drinking sources had high concentrations of heavy metals, including chromium and nickel, that exceeded safe limits set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Blood samples taken from residents living near IWIP recorded the presence of heavy metals like mercury — and arsenic at levels exceeding safe thresholds in 15 people. Nexus3 principal researcher Yuyun Ismawati said, apart from inhaling pollutants, heavy metals detected in blood came from eating contaminated fish. The study found that fish caught in Weda Bay contained elevated levels of arsenic and mercury. Ms Ismawati said the arsenic levels in fish surpassed national safe thresholds and posed a serious risk to people who live in the area and ate them. "The fish samples were taken at the fish landing site, directly from the fishermen's boats — these are the same fish sold at the market," she said. "We collected fish from there because that's what local residents consume daily. Rivani Abdurrajak, head of the local government environmental agency, disputed the findings of the Nexus3 research, local media reported in early June. Mr Abdurrajak told Kompas the water in Weda Bay was not polluted by nickel mining or processing, and government tests showed levels of heavy metals, including arsenic and mercury, at safe levels. Ms Ismawati said that the "cocktail of toxic pollutants" around industrial parks like IWIP were difficult to measure. "Inside these zones, there are various smelters — not just for nickel, but also for aluminium and other metals, even in small quantities, so even if we could take some samples, there are no standard benchmarks to measure these chemical cocktails," she added. IWIP has been contacted for comment. The pollution around IWIP and other major nickel processing parks has acted as a warning to conservations and locals campaigning to defend Raja Ampat from a similar fate. While Indigenous Papuans in Raja Ampat depend on the sea for their survival, the archipelago holds a greater significance for locals. "Raja Ampat's value is inseparable from the people who live in, depend on, and actively shape it," Ms Lawrence said. Mr Mambraku lives in a village near one of the nickel mines which had its permit revoked. He said he hoped the Indonesian government would ensure that any kind of future activities in Raja Ampat followed environmental safeguards and included Indigenous people in decision making. "It's so important not only because of its beauty but it provides us livelihood," Mr Mambraku said.
BBC News
15-06-2025
- Science
- BBC News
How a race for electric vehicles threatens a marine paradise
Stark images, captured from a drone by environmental campaigners and shared with the BBC, appear to show how nickel mining has stripped forests and polluted waters in one of the most biodiverse marine habitats on Raja Ampat archipelago - a group of small islands in Indonesia's Southwest Papua Province - has been dubbed the "Amazon of the Seas". But mining for nickel - an ingredient in electric vehicle batteries and in stainless steel - has ramped up there in recent years, according to the organisation Global a move that was welcomed by campaigners, the Indonesian government this week revoked permits for four out of five mining companies operating in the region. In a statement published online, Indonesia's Ministry for the Environment said: "Raja Ampat's biodiversity is a world heritage that must be protected. "We pay great attention to mining activities that occur in the area."But photographs - taken by Global Witness as part of an investigation - appear to show environmental damage already done. Aerial images show forest loss and sediment run-off into waters that are home to biodiverse coral Witness told the BBC that land use for mining, across multiple small islands in the archipelago, increased by 500 hectares - equivalent to about 700 football pitches - between 2020 and 2024. Some conservationists, including the organisation Greenpeace, are concerned that the government's decision could be reversed by legal action by the mining companies. And one company that operates on Gag island, which has particularly rich deposits of nickel, has been allowed to continue its operations. The government said it would order the "restoration of the ecological impacts that occur" reef conservationist and ecologist Dr Mark Erdmann told BBC News that he was "blown away, and so happy" about the government's decision to revoke the mining permits."This is the global epicenter of marine biodiversity," he told BBC News. Dr Erdmann has worked in Raja Ampat for more than two decades and is one of the founders of a shark rewilding project there called Reshark. He added: "It was a voice of outrage form Indonesian people that made the government pay attention."But this ecological controversy is an example of how the demand for the metals needed to power battery technology - for electric cars and other low carbon energy sources - can damage the environment. Indonesia now accounts for more than half of the world's nickel mine production, according to a report last year by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial while the beauty and biodiversity of the Raja Ampat has drawn attention to mining activity there, mining has been linked to ecological damage elsewhere too. A 2024 study by Forest Watch Indonesia found a link between the loss of forests associated with mining activity and increased local flooding and landslides. Increasing demand for so-called critical minerals is shaping economic decisions around the world. It was the driving force for President Trump's recent executive order to jumpstart the mining of metallic nodules from the deep sea in international waters. It is a move that China has called illegal. Dr Erdmann pointed out that balancing economic growth with environmental protection was a particular dilemma for Indonesia. "It has a lot of nickel - one way or the other, some of it's going to come out of the ground," he said. Dr Michaela Guo Ying Lo from the University of Kent led a study in 2024 of the impact of mining on local communities in Sulawesi, the large Indonesian island that has most of the country's nickel deposits. That concluded that mining activity reduced poverty slightly, but that there was significant "worsening of environmental well-being" including increased local water and air pollution. "Indonesia is positioning itself globally in the nickel market," Dr Lo told BBC News. "But it's important not to forget what's happening locally." Imam Shofwan, an environmental campaigner from an organisation called Jatam, based in Jakarta, told BBC News: "They say nickel is a solution to the climate crisis. But it's causing deforestation and destroying farmland."He also pointed out to the BBC that low-lying coastal areas, where some nickel deposits are found, are some of the places most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including rising sea levels. Dr Erdmann commented: "The nickel dilemma is a horrible one. "Mining is always going to be environmentally impactful and we all tend to think that electrification is a good idea. But what is the acceptable damage that we're willing to see?" The BBC contacted the Indonesian government for comment, but did not receive a reply.
South China Morning Post
11-06-2025
- South China Morning Post
Green groups hail Indonesia's move to axe mining permits in marine ‘paradise' Raja Ampat
Indonesia's green groups and Papuan residents have welcomed President Prabowo Subianto's decision to revoke almost all nickel-mining permits in the country's biodiversity gem of the Raja Ampat Islands, but urged authorities to protect other small and outlying areas from damage brought by such activities. Raja Ampat, an archipelagic region in Southwest Papua, has been dubbed the 'last paradise on Earth' due to its extremely rich terrestrial and marine biodiversity, which includes 540 species of coral and more than 1,500 species of fish. The postcard-perfect archipelago, comprising more than 610 islands, is popular among divers, including those who can pay extra for luxury yachts and eco-friendly lodges. Greenpeace Indonesia activists and four young Papuans stage a protest at the Indonesia Critical Minerals expo on June 3. Photo: Greenpeace Indonesia It was no surprise that Indonesians were up in arms to condemn nickel mining in the region, after the issue was exposed by Greenpeace Indonesia and four young Papuans who staged a protest during the Indonesia Critical Minerals expo in Jakarta on June 3. According to Greenpeace, nickel mining has already led to the destruction of 'over 500 hectares of forest and specialised native vegetation' in three islands within Raja Ampat: Gag Island, Kawe Island and Manuran Island. 'Extensive documentation shows soil runoff causing turbidity and sedimentation in coastal waters – a direct threat to Raja Ampat's delicate coral reefs and marine ecosystems – as a result of deforestation and excavation,' Greenpeace claimed in a statement on June 3. Other small islands in Raja Ampat, such as Batang Pele and Manyaifun, were also 'under imminent threat' from nickel mining, and these two islands were located about 30km from Piaynemo, the iconic karst island formation depicted on Indonesia's 100,000-rupiah banknote.
The Independent
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Mining permits halted at top tourist snorkelling spot
Indonesia has suspended four nickel mining operations in Raja Ampat, a popular tourist destination renowned for diving and snorkelling. The decision was announced on Tuesday by Minister for Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, who said that the government had revoked the mining operation permits following a Cabinet meeting in Jakarta. Raja Ampat, located in Southwest Papua province, spans nearly 20,000 square kilometres and boasts 75 per cent of the world's coral species and over 1,600 fish species. The area is a designated Unesco Global Geopark with marine conservation zones managed by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. Mr Lahadalia said the decision was prompted by an investigation by the Ministry of Environment, which revealed "several violations in the environmental context" by the four companies holding mining permits in Raja Ampat. None of the four companies had started nickel operations as they failed to gain government approval for their Work Plan and Expenditure Budget, he said. Last week, Greenpeace Indonesia and Papuan Youth staged a peaceful protest during the Indonesia Critical Minerals Conference & Expo. They demanded the closure of five nickel mining companies operating in Raja Ampat, including PT Gag Nikel, a subsidiary of state-owned mining company PT Aneka Tambang. The government suspended nickel mining operations at four of the five companies. The fifth, Gag Nikel, has been allowed to continue its operations on Gag Island as it lies outside the geopark area, Mr Lahadalia said. Gag Island is about 42 kilometres (26 miles) west of Piyanemo, a popular diving spot in Raja Ampat. Gag Nikel has a concession area of 130 square kilometres (50 square miles). It produced around three million wet metric tons of nickel in 2024, and is expected to produce the same amount in 2025 and 2026. Mr Lahadalia said Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has instructed him, along with ministers for the environment and forestry, to closely monitor Gag Nikel's mining operation. 'We are really serious in our intent to protect the environment in Raja Ampat," Mr Lahadalia said. 'We want to produce nickel that is environmentally friendly and acceptable (to the world's standard).' Indonesia has the largest nickel reserves in the world and aims to dominate global nickel supply. Its nickel ore lies in shallow deposits, easily accessible when the rainforest is cut down. In 2023, the country was responsible for more than half the supply of nickel globally. The country has gone from having two nickel smelters to 27 over the last decade and plans to open 22 more, according to S&P Global Commodity Insights. Nickel was once known mainly for making stainless steel, but demand has skyrocketed as automakers like Tesla use it to make electric vehicle batteries and larger battery makers use it in clean electricity projects. Rapid growth of Indonesia's nickel industry has already led to environmental degradation across several regions on Sulawesi Island, said Greenpeace forest campaigner Iqbal Damanik. 'Now nickel mining is also threatening Raja Ampat, a place that is often called the last paradise on Earth,' the campaigner said. Over 500 hectares of forest and vegetation have been cleared for nickel mines on the West Papua islands of Gag, Kawe and Manuran, according to Greenpeace Indonesia. The three islands are classified as small islands. Indonesia's law on the management of coastal areas and small islands prohibits mining as it could lead to soil runoff and sedimentation that endangers coral reefs and marine ecosystems.
Globe and Mail
10-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Indonesia stops nickel mining operations at top tourist diving destination
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — The Indonesian government announced Tuesday they had suspended four nickel mining operations in Raja Ampat, one of the country's top tourist destinations for diving and snorkeling. 'Starting today, the government has revoked four mining operation permits in Raja Ampat,' Minister for Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia told reporters after a Cabinet meeting in the presidential palace in the capital, Jakarta. Raja Ampat, an archipelagic regency in Southwest Papua province, is spread over nearly 20,000 square kilometers (7,700 square miles) and is home to 75% of the world's coral species and more than 1,600 fish species. It is a designated UNESCO Global Geopark which includes marine conservation zones managed by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. Lahadalia said the decision came after an investigation by the Ministry of Environment uncovered 'several violations in the environmental context' by four companies holding mining permits in Raja Ampat. None of the four companies had started nickel operations as they failed to gain government approval for their Work Plan and Expenditure Budget, Lahadalia said. Last week, Greenpeace Indonesia and Papuan Youth staged a peaceful protest during the Indonesia Critical Minerals Conference & Expo. They demanded the closure of five nickel mining companies operating in Raja Ampat, including PT Gag Nikel, a subsidiary of state-owned mining company PT Aneka Tambang. The government suspended nickel mining operations at four of the five companies. The fifth, Gag Nikel, has been allowed to continue its operations on Gag Island as it lies outside the geopark area, Lahadalia said. Gag Island is about 42 kilometers (26 miles) west of Piyanemo, a popular diving spot in Raja Ampat. Gag Nikel has a concession area of 130 square kilometers (50 square miles). It produced around 3 million wet metric tons of nickel in 2024, and is expected to produce the same amount in 2025 and 2026. Lahadalia said Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has instructed him, along with ministers for the environment and forestry, to closely monitor Gag Nikel's mining operation. 'We are really serious in our intent to protect the environment in Raja Ampat," Lahadalia said. 'We want to produce nickel that is environmentally friendly and acceptable (to the world's standard).' Indonesia has the largest nickel reserves in the world and aims to dominate global nickel supply. Its nickel ore lies in shallow deposits, easily accessible when the rainforest is cut down. In 2023, the country was responsible for more than half the supply of nickel globally. The country has gone from having two nickel smelters to 27 over the last decade and plans to open 22 more, according to S&P Global Commodity Insights. Nickel was once known mainly for making stainless steel, but demand has skyrocketed as automakers like Tesla use it to make electric vehicle batteries and larger battery makers use it in clean electricity projects. Rapid growth of Indonesia's nickel industry has already led to environmental degradation across several regions on Sulawesi Island, said Greenpeace forest campaigner Iqbal Damanik. 'Now nickel mining is also threatening Raja Ampat, a place that is often called the last paradise on Earth,' Damanik said. Over 500 hectares of forest and vegetation have been cleared for nickel mines on the West Papua islands of Gag, Kawe and Manuran, according to Greenpeace Indonesia. The three islands are classified as small islands. Indonesia's law on the management of coastal areas and small islands prohibits mining as it could lead to soil runoff and sedimentation that endangers coral reefs and marine ecosystems.
