Indonesia’s Nickel Rush Threatens Biodiversity in Raja Ampat

In June 2025, environmental groups sounded alarms over the rapid expansion of nickel mining in Indonesia’s Raja Ampat archipelago, a global biodiversity hotspot. Greenpeace Indonesia reported that more than 500 hectares of rainforest had been cleared on islands like Gag and Kawe, leading to sediment runoff that now endangers coral reefs housing 75% of the world’s coral species. These reefs are vital to local communities that depend on ecotourism and fishing. In response, the government suspended nickel operations on five islands and flagged permit violations. New forest mining approvals were frozen under national laws protecting small, ecologically sensitive islands.