Raja Ampat sits in Indonesia’s eastern Papua region and forms a core part of the Coral Triangle. The archipelago supports roughly 75 percent of the world’s known coral species and ranks among the planet’s richest marine environments. A new Greenpeace report now shows that three companies continue to pursue nickel projects on Waigeo Island, the largest landmass in the group, despite earlier government action to limit mining.
Exceptional Marine and Terrestrial Biodiversity
Waigeo Island hosts several species found nowhere else, including Wilson’s bird-of-paradise, the Waigeo brushturkey, and the Waigeo spotted cuscus. These terrestrial animals share the landscape with coral reefs that draw divers and researchers from around the world. The combination of intact forests and surrounding waters creates habitat linkages that support both land and sea life.
Nickel extraction on the island would require forest clearing and infrastructure that could fragment these habitats. Past operations elsewhere in the region have already shown how such activity can increase sedimentation and affect water quality in adjacent bays. Local communities and conservation groups have long highlighted the risk that new mines would undo gains made after the 2025 permit revocations.
Timeline of Permit Decisions and Public Response
Public concern over nickel mining in Raja Ampat grew sharply in 2025 after images of forest clearing circulated widely. The Indonesian government responded by suspending operations and later revoking four of the five existing permits. Only the state-owned PT Gag Nikel continues to operate under its original authorization.
That earlier rollback left the region with a narrower mining footprint, yet it did not close the door to future applications. Two of the companies now named in the Greenpeace report filed lawsuits in 2025 after authorities declined to recognize permits they had held since 2023. The legal challenges remain unresolved and illustrate how companies continue to press for access.
Three Companies Seeking Approvals
The Greenpeace analysis identifies PT Raja Ampat Nikel Abadi, PT Waegeo Mineral Mining, and PT Eka Kurnia Baru as the firms actively advancing projects on Waigeo. Each holds exploration or development interests that would expand nickel extraction if approved. Government records show the companies have pursued these interests through formal applications and, in two cases, through the courts.
- PT Raja Ampat Nikel Abadi (RANA) – latest entrant highlighted in the report.
- PT Waegeo Mineral Mining (WMM) – filed suit in 2025 over permit recognition.
- PT Eka Kurnia Baru (EKB) – also pursued legal action after permit refusal.
These efforts focus on areas that overlap with both marine and terrestrial conservation priorities. The report notes that any new approvals would require fresh environmental assessments and public consultation processes that have not yet concluded.
Stakeholders and Practical Consequences
Local residents, dive operators, and conservation organizations all stand to be affected by renewed mining activity. Tourism tied to Raja Ampat’s reefs and forests generates income for many communities and depends on the area’s reputation for pristine conditions. Expanded nickel operations could alter that reputation and the underlying ecosystems that support it.
National policy on critical minerals continues to favor expanded production, creating tension with biodiversity protection goals. The Greenpeace findings underscore that the 2025 permit revocations addressed only part of the pressure. Without additional safeguards, the three companies could still secure the approvals they seek through ongoing legal or administrative channels.
The situation leaves Raja Ampat in a state of partial protection that remains open to further challenge. Continued monitoring by civil society groups and clear government follow-through on existing limits will determine whether the archipelago retains its status as one of the world’s premier marine environments.
