The Indonesian government has revoked four mining operation permits in Raja Ampat, one of the country’s top tourist destinations, reported the Associated Press. The decision came after an investigation by the Ministry of Environment uncovered “several violations in the environmental context.”
Minister for Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia said none of the four companies had started nickel operations as they failed to gain government approval for their Work Plan and Expenditure Budget. PT Gag Nikel, a subsidiary of state-owned PT Aneka Tambang, will be allowed to continue its operations on Gag Island as it lies outside the geopark area.
“We are really serious in our intent to protect the environment in Raja Ampat,” Lahadalia said, noting that the government will closely monitor Gag Nikel’s mining operation. “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.
Source: AP