Nickel mining in Indonesia’s Raja Ampat continues despite protests, Greenpeace finds

Nickel mining operations in the UNESCO-listed Raja Ampat in Indonesia’s easternmost region of Papua are continuing a year after a widespread outcry over their impact on the region’s environment, with ​mining licence applications still being processed, Greenpeace said.

In a ‌report entitled “Unprotected Paradise” released on Thursday, Greenpeace found that three nickel mining licences in Raja Ampat are being processed, including in areas that host “the planet’s most important marine biodiversity hotspots,” according to UNESCO.

Protests ​erupted last year against mining in Raja Ampat, a picturesque UNESCO-designated “Global Geopark”, with ​social media users sharing a graphic of the area’s blue waters with the ⁠hashtag #SaveRajaAmpat.

“In the 14 months since that time there is little evidence to suggest ​that the Indonesian Government will protect Raja Ampat for future generations,” Greenpeace said, adding there were ​tensions with indigenous communities.

In response to the protests, the government revoked business permits for four mining firms. Indonesia’s energy ministry also temporarily halted the activities of miner PT Gag Nikel, a subsidiary of state miner Aneka ​Tambang.

The companies whose licences are currently being processed were not among the four companies whose ​permits were revoked last year, Greenpeace found.

Gag Nikel’s operations continue despite an environmental audit which found environmental ‌risks, ⁠such as increased sediment and failure to apply biodiversity protection principles, Greenpeace said, citing a February 2026 letter it had obtained from the environment ministry.

Gag Nikel resumed operations in September 2025. The government said its mines had not been closed, but remained operational pending audit results, local ​media reported.

Nickel from PT ​Gag Nikel is supplied ⁠to Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park (IWIP), one of the country’s largest nickel processing hubs, Greenpeace said. IWIP counts China’s Tsingshan Holding ​Group and France’s Eramet as investors.

Antam said on Friday that Gag ​Nikel is ⁠operating outside the Geopark area. The audit did not find environmental violations and only recommended improvements to its operations, it added.

Indonesia’s environment ministry, Gag Nikel, and IWIP did not immediately respond ⁠to ​a request for comment on the report on Friday. ​The country’s mining ministry said it is checking the findings.

Indonesia is a top nickel ore producer and has ​the world’s largest nickel reserves.

(Reporting by Stanley Widianto and Bernadette Christina; Editing by David Stanway)