Speaking at a press conference in Jakarta on Sunday, Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said the review is carried out based on Law Number 1 of 2014 on Coastal and Small Islands Management as well as the rulings of the Supreme Court (MA) and the Constitutional Court (MK) which prohibit mining operations on small islands.
In addition to the review, he said, the ministry is conducting law enforcement measures against two companies, namely PT ASP and PT MRP, whose nickel mining activities damaged the environment on the small islands of Raja Ampat.
According to him, it was found that several nickel mining companies committed serious environmental violations.
He noted that PT ASP carried out mining activities on Manuran Island, and his ministry had sealed the site and is processing law enforcement, with potential criminal and civil sanctions.
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"PT ASP was found to have carried out mining activities without adequate environmental management, causing seawater pollution and high turbidity on the coast," he said.
Nurofiq further said that the same thing was also found in the mining activities of PT KSM on Kawei Island and PT MRP on Manyaifun Island.
PT KSM was reported to have cleared land outside of the borrow and use permit, while PT MRP only has a mining business permit but has yet to have an environmental document. The activities in the mining sites have been stopped by the ministry's team.
"Due to the fact that they (the sites) are located on small islands and protected areas, it will be very hard for us to give environmental permits," the minister remarked.
Meanwhile, the mining activities of PT GAG Nikel on Gag Island have been carried out in accordance with the existing regulations but the ministry will continue to monitor the company, he added.
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Translator: Mecca Yumna, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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