Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Ministry of Forestry has issued firm instructions not to issue new forest area use approvals (PPKH) in Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua, following recent concerns over nickel mining activities in the area.
"In response to concerns over possible environmental degradation in high conservation value areas such as Raja Ampat, the Minister of Forestry has instructed a temporary halt to the issuance of new PPKH,” the ministry’s director general of forestry planning, Ade Triaji Kusumah, noted in her statement on Thursday (June 5).
She revealed that while new approvals are on hold, the ministry is currently evaluating and monitoring existing approvals.
To date, two forest use approvals have been granted in the Raja Ampat area, one in 2020 and another in 2022.
Kusumah explained that both approvals were issued based on permits in the mining sector, including mining business permits (IUP) and environmental approvals valid at that time.
Raja Ampat, the globally renowned archipelago in Southwest Papua is celebrated for its unparalleled marine biodiversity, pristine coral reefs, and numerous jungle-covered islands.
Given Raja Ampat's ecological and cultural significance, Kusumah affirmed that the Forestry Ministry will prioritize protecting the area.
This measure aligns with Indonesia's commitment to biodiversity preservation and to empowering indigenous and local communities as sustainable forest guardians.
"We will also continue to strengthen coordination with related agencies, local governments, and civil society so that every development in Raja Ampat can take place sustainably and not threaten environmental sustainability," Kusumah elaborated.
Earlier, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia decided to temporarily halt nickel mining operations of PT GAG Nikel in Raja Ampat.
"For the time being, we will stop operations until field verification," he noted in a press conference on Thursday.
In doing its business, PT GAG Nikel has received a government permit based on a work contract registered in the Mineral One Data Indonesia (MODI) application, with a mining permit area of 13,136.00 ha.
According to Lahadalia, PT GAG Nikel is the only company currently operating in the area. The subsidiary of mining and metals company PT Antam Tbk received its work contract in 2017 and began operations a year later after securing an environmental impact analysis (AMDAL).
"There are several mining permits (issued) for Raja Ampat, maybe five. Well, the one operating now is only one, which is PT GAG,” he explained.
He further remarked that the islands in Raja Ampat serve various purposes, mostly conservation and tourism, with some areas containing mineral resources.
He claimed that the nickel mine is not located in the tourist destination of Piaynemo, Raja Ampat. The mine is approximately 30-40 kilometers from the tourist site.
