Raja Ampat Regent, Orideko Burdam, speaking in Sorong, Southwest Papua on Monday, said that the increased supervision is meant to ensure that the globally recognized Raja Ampat tourism area remains unaffected by nickel mining activities.
“We will collaborate across sectors to ensure the tourism area remains safe and protected,” he stated.
Although there are currently no visible signs of environmental pollution from the nickel mining activities of PT Gag Nikel, Burdam emphasized that the local government will continue to optimize monitoring efforts to ensure tourism zones remain free from contamination.
The regent spoke of having urged the company, particularly PT Gag Nikel, to cooperate with the government in taking joint responsibility for preserving Raja Ampat's natural ecosystem.
“It is not damage but there are remnants of mining. The company has carried out reforestation. Hence, there is no (environmental) damage,” he explained.
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Burdam underlined that it is tourism, not nickel mining, that has brought international recognition to Raja Ampat. For this reason, his administration is committed to tightening oversight and ensuring that no environmental degradation occurs.
“That is exactly why we must ensure that environmental damage does not happen in Raja Ampat by tightening oversight,” he remarked.
Earlier, on Saturday (June 7), Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, along with Southwest Papua Governor Elisa Kambu, Raja Ampat Regent Orideko Burdam, and members of the local leadership coordination forum, visited PT Gag Nikel.
Lahadalia stated that nickel mining activities in Raja Ampat by PT Gag are not as described in the information circulating on social media, which claims the mining is polluting the environment.
"I appreciate PT Gag Nikel for operating in accordance with the existing regulations," he remarked.
Currently, five mining companies have official permits to operate in the Raja Ampat region. Two have permits from the central government, while the other three are licensed by the local government.
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Translator: Yuvensius Lasa Banafanu, Kuntum Khaira Riswan
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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