Mining threat persists in Raja Ampat, Indonesia’s ‘Amazon of the Seas’

Raja Ampat, celebrated for its unparalleled marine biodiversity, remains imperiled by Indonesia's burgeoning nickel industry, according to a Greenpeace report. Situated in the heart of the Coral Triangle in Indonesia's eastern Papua region, this archipelago boasts around 75% of the world's coral species, a fact that has earned it the moniker "the Amazon of the Seas."

Public outcry over forest clearing and environmental harm surfaced in 2025 following the circulation of social media images depicting the damage. This prompted the Indonesian government to temporarily halt mining activities and subsequently invalidate four of the region's five nickel mining licenses, leaving only the state-owned PT Gag Nikel operation active.

Despite this temporary reprieve, Raja Ampat's vulnerability to future mining threats persists. Greenpeace's latest report reveals that three companies—PT Raja Ampat Nikel Abadi (RANA), PT Waegeo Mineral Mining (WMM), and PT Eka Kurnia Baru (EKB)—are pushing ahead with nickel mining projects on Waigeo Island, the largest island in the archipelago.

This island is not only ecologically rich but also home to unique wildlife, including the endangered Wilson's bird-of-paradise, the Waigeo brushturkey, and the Waigeo spotted cuscus. In June 2025, Mongabay highlighted the legal battles waged by WMM and EKB, who are challenging the government's refusal to officially acknowledge their mining permits, which they have held since 2023. RANA emerges as the most recent entrant in the race to exploit Raja Ampat's natural wealth.