【SMM Nickel Market Flash】Indonesia Reopens Gag Nikel Mine in Raja Ampat Amid Environmental Concerns and Contradictory Evidence

Published: Oct 23, 2025 09:15

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【SMM Nickel Market Flash】Indonesia has allowed state-owned PT Gag Nikel to resume nickel mining operations on Gag Island in the ecologically sensitive Raja Ampat archipelago, lifting a suspension imposed in June. The government justified the decision citing the company's "green" environmental rating. However, this contradicts findings from a 2024 study, commissioned by Gag Nikel itself, which documented widespread community complaints about pollution, health problems, and coral reef damage linked to the mine's operations. Environmental NGOs argue the "green" label masks significant environmental destruction and question why this state-owned mine was allowed to reopen while other private concessions in the area were revoked for similar impacts.

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