“Unprotected Paradise: One year on from the Indonesian Government’s decision to stop some of the nickel mining in Raja Ampat”, Greenpeace, 30 July 2026

A Greenpeace Indonesia research report released today reveals that one year after public outcry over nickel mining in Raja Ampat through the #SaveRajaAmpat campaign, there is little evidence to suggest that the Indonesian government is working toward full and permanent protection of the area known as the ‘last paradise on Earth’. …

“The Indonesian government’s move last year to revoke 4 nickel mining licenses in Raja Ampat was a welcome step, but it fell far short of providing protection for an area that is the most biodiverse marine ecosystem in the world, which is also the territory of Indigenous Peoples and islanders of Raja Ampat,” said Greenpeace Indonesia’s forest campaign team leader, Arie Rompas.

… Apart from the risks of new licenses, there are existing environmental threats from PT Gag Nikel operations. The Environment Ministry-mandated audit found several deficiencies, … including the ongoing risk of increased sediment loading to the coastal and marine environment, particularly during heavy rainfall, and failure to apply biodiversity protection principles when mining …

To shed light on the dirty energy threatening the Raja Ampat archipelago, either from nickel, coal, and oil and gas, Greenpeace activists unfold banners with a main message “Protect Raja Ampat, Stop Dirty Energy” at the opening ceremony at GIIAS 2026, the largest annual automotive exhibition in Indonesia today.

“Greenpeace is calling for the full protection of Raja Ampat from industrial activity and for the enforcement of existing laws which are supposed to protect small islands and conservation areas on land and at sea. Important areas for biodiversity and Indigenous Peoples must be off-limits to mining,” said Kiki Taufik, Greenpeace’s global head for Indonesia forest campaign.

Arie Rompas added, “Supply chain actors, including battery producers, must investigate their supply chains and clearly and publicly reject the supply of nickel that originates from any mines in Raja Ampat or other important areas for biodiversity and Indigenous Peoples.” Greenpeace and other NGOs have developed a Global Restricted Areas Map of areas that should be off-limits to mining .