The pristine waters and biodiversity-rich islands of Raja Ampat, Papua Barat Daya Province, are facing a devastating environmental and human rights crisis as multiple nickel mining companies destroy one of the world’s most ecologically significant marine areas in the world. Despite Raja Ampat’s recognition as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2023 and its status as the heart of the global coral triangle, containing 75% of the world’s coral species, the Indonesian government has permitted extensive mining operations across several small islands. The mining operations are violating both national law and international conservation standards.
Between 8-27 June 2025, widespread protests erupted across Indonesia as indigenous communities, environmental activists, and civil society organizations demanded an end to the destructive mining practices that have already cleared over 500 hectares of forest and natural vegetation. The environmental damage extends far beyond deforestation, with mining waste causing severe sedimentation that affects the coral reefs, contaminated coastal waters, and destroys the marine ecosystems that indigenous communities in Raja Ampat depend upon. On Manuran Island, mining operations by PT Anugerah Surya Pratama have created visible pollution plumes that flow directly into village areas during high tide, while residents on Gag Island report being afraid to swim due to fears of skin diseases caused by contaminated waters.
The human rights implications of these mining operations are profound and systematic. Indigenous communities have been denied their fundamental right to free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) regarding mining activities on their ancestral lands. The operations have divided communities, with mining companies reportedly offering financial incentives to secure local support while those who resist face intimidation and marginalization. Traditional livelihoods dependent on fishing and sustainable tourism are under threat, forcing communities into economic vulnerability and dependence on unstable mining employment. The government’s failure to consult with affected communities before issuing permits violates international indigenous rights standards and Indonesia’s constitutional protections for customary communities.
The legal framework governing these operations reveals the extent of governmental complicity in the violations. All mining activities on small islands in Raja Ampat directly contravene Article 35(k) of Law No. 1 of 2014 on Coastal Area and Small Islands Management, which explicitly prohibits mineral mining that causes environmental damage or harm to surrounding communities. Despite this legal prohibition, at least five companies, namely PT Gag Nikel, PT Anugerah Surya Pratama, PT Mulia Raymond Perkasa, PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining, and PT Nurham, have been granted mining permits covering thousands of hectares across the archipelago. When Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia visited the region in June 2025, he was met with massive protests at Sorong Airport, forcing him to exit through a back door to avoid demonstrators demanding the immediate revocation of all mining permits.
Civil society responses have highlighted the broader pattern of environmental injustice and corporate impunity. The Papua Coalition for Law Enforcement and Human Rights has accused government officials of maladministration for interfering with proper environmental monitoring procedures, while indigenous groups have organized coordinated protests across multiple cities demanding not only the cessation of mining in Raja Ampat but the end of all extractive projects throughout West Papua. Some activists like Paulina, a 24-year-old woman from the Kabare Village, have faced arrest for peaceful protests, yet continue protesting.
Following sustained public pressure and international scrutiny, the Indonesian government announced on 10 June 2025, the revocation of mining permits for four companies operating in Raja Ampat: PT Anugerah Surya Pratama, PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining, PT Mulia Raymond Perkasa, and PT Nurham. However, this decision has been met with skepticism from environmental groups and indigenous rights advocates who view it as inadequate and potentially reversible. Significantly, PT Gag Nikel, the largest operation owned by state-owned PT Antam, was permitted to continue operations under increased monitoring, raising concerns about the government’s commitment to genuine environmental protection versus protecting state corporate interests. Greenpeace Indonesia criticized the decision as merely “a ploy to quell protests,” noting that the fundamental legal violations remain unaddressed and that operations could potentially resume once public attention diminishes.
The destruction of Raja Ampat represents not merely an environmental catastrophe but a systematic violation of indigenous rights and environmental justice. The crisis in Raja Ampat serves as a critical test case for whether Indonesia will uphold its commitments to indigenous rights and environmental conservation or continue to sacrifice irreplaceable ecosystems and indigenous communities for corporate interests. Only the complete revocation of all mining permits and the recognition of indigenous land rights can prevent further destruction of this globally significant marine ecosystem.
Mining operations in Raja Ampat
Indigenous communities in various locations carried out protests against the Nickel mines in Raja Ampat throughout June’25
Map of Raja Ampat Geopark
