Indonesia, West Papua – Illegal mining operations have been discovered in Ajuda Village at the border of Intan Jaya Regency in Central Papua Province (Papua Tengah) with Waropen Regency, raising significant environmental and social concerns among residents and environmental activists.
According to reports from Papua Tribunnews, unauthorised mining activities are taking place in several locations including Muara Walai, Sewa, and Ular Merah in the Ajuda Village area. These operations have reportedly been conducted without proper permits or governmental oversight.
Papua Tengah Member of Parliament Thobias Bagabau, has strongly condemned these practices, emphasising that mining without permits violates the law and poses significant threats to natural resources and the environment.
Information obtained reveals that the illegal company has allegedly paid local communities one billion rupiah (approximately #43,000) to gain access to the land. Within just two weeks, the company has been transporting logistics via helicopter to the mining sites, causing damage to surrounding areas.
Illegal mining operations are reportedly using environmentally harmful techniques, resulting in soil degradation, water pollution, and biodiversity loss. The use of mercury in mining processes has further exacerbated water contamination issues, posing serious health risks to residents.
According to Bagabau, "Based on information I've received, this illegal company has paid the local community 1 billion rupiah, and in just two weeks, they have been distributing logistics using helicopters to operate in Ajuda Village, Sewa, and Ular Merah, damaging the surrounding areas."
The unlicensed mining activities are being conducted by individuals or illegal companies that are neither registered nor permitted by local authorities. These operations show little regard for environmental impacts or the rights of indigenous communities.
Beyond environmental degradation, the activities are also creating social and economic problems, offering unsustainable employment opportunities to local communities. No environmental impact assessment (Amdal) has been conducted prior to these operations.
Local human rights defenders reported on 15 March 2025 that the illegal company has been operating across several villages and has already exhausted resources in some areas. The report also indicates that local government authorities have yet to determine the origin of this company or take decisive action against these operations.
Concerned parties are urging relevant authorities to address this issue promptly and reject the presence of illegal mining companies in the region, highlighting the need for immediate government intervention to protect Central Papua's vulnerable ecosystems.