The Government's Responsibility To The Communities Affected By Nickel Mining Exploitation In Raja Empat

Abstract

The use of nickel resources as part of national development causes polemics when carried out in areas with high ecological value such as Raja Ampat, especially Gag Island. This study aims to analyze the impact of nickel mining on society and the environment and examine the form of government responsibility for these impacts. The research uses normative legal methods with a legislative and conceptual approach through literature studies. The results of the study show that nickel mining has the potential to cause environmental damage in the form of water pollution, marine sedimentation, and damage to coastal ecosystems and coral reefs which has an impact on declining people's livelihoods. Legally, the government has a preventive, repressive, and restorative responsibility to protect the community and the environment. However, the implementation of these responsibilities has not been optimal due to weak supervision and law enforcement. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the role of the government in order to realize environmental justice and sustainable development.