Government-sanctioned Forest Area Enforcement Task Force (Satgas PKH) has seized hundreds of hectares of nickel mining concessions in North Maluku and Southeast Sulawesi over alleged permit violations, officials have announced.

The confiscated areas include 148.25 hectares in Weda Bay, Central Halmahera, North Maluku, operated by PT Weda Bay Nickel; and 172.83 hectares in Bombana, Southeast Sulawesi, operated by PT Tonia Mitra Sejahtera. Authorities said both companies lacked valid forest area utilization permits (IPPKH).

The operation was led by Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes, Febrie Adriansyah, who chairs the task force, alongside TNI Chief of General Staff LieutenantGeneral Richard Tampubolon, serving as the task force’s deputy chair.

“This is not an arbitrary move. Before taking legal actions, we sent summonses for inquiry, undertook classification and identification processes, and coordinated with multiple institutions, including the Sustainable Forestry Council, biologists, and other relevant agencies. The goal is to ensure the process complies with regulations, particularly regarding permits,” Richard said on September 11, 2025.

Nickel supply

Industry observers downplayed the impact of the seizures on the nickel sector. Chairman of the Indonesian Nickel Industry Forum (FINI), Arif Perdana Kusumah, said the seized concessions represent only a small fraction of Indonesia’s nickel output.

“The seizure of a small portion of mining land in Weda and Bombana will not significantly affect nickel smelter production, nor will it influence the current oversupply and downward pressure on nickel prices,” Arif spoke to Indonesia Business Post on Friday, September 19, 2025.

Richard stressed that legal certainty remained the task force’s guiding principle.

“If a company possesses complete and valid permits, enforcement will follow due legal process,” he said, underscoring that the operation aims to ensure compliance rather than disrupt investment.