Indonesia revokes licences of four nickel miners in Raja Ampat

They had breached a permit regulating forest use at Unesco marine biodiversity site

- Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja

JAKARTA - The Indonesian government has revoked the business licences of four nickel mining companies operating on the small islands within Raja Ampat, a Unesco site, for breaches related to a permit regulating forest use – the latest response to the discovery of illegal works in the country.

But calls from the international environmental community for a full ban on mining activities in the world-renowned marine biodiversity site persist.

On June 10, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia told reporters, following a meeting with President Prabowo Subianto, that the four companies in question were all in the first steps of operations, namely the exploration stage that involves identifying potential areas of nickel deposits.

Meanwhile, a fifth company, which is being looked into, has begun production – this process involves concentrating, smelting and refining the nickel. It has been allowed to continue but is subject to strict monitoring from the government, Mr Bahlil said.

Apart from these five companies, there are other mining firms operating in Raja Ampat.

Indonesia’s 2014 coastal areas and small islands management law prohibits mining activities on islands of 2,000 sq km or smaller, like those in Raja Ampat. But companies that meet certain austere requirements, including being able to give strong assurance that they will not affect the sea ecosystem, mangroves, reefs or any conservation areas, can be issued licences to carry out mining.

The four companies whose licences were revoked are PT Anugerah Surya Pratama, PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining, PT Mulia Raymond Perkasa and PT Nurham, Mr Bahlil said. The investigations and breaches were related to the Forest Area Utilisation Approvals, also known as PPKH permits.