Jakarta, June 10 -- The Environment Ministry will soon conduct an environmental audit of operations at PT GAG Nikel's mining block in Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua, and their potential impact on the surrounding environment.

Environment Minister Hanif Faisol said in Jakarta on Tuesday that the step aims to strengthen supervision and guarantee environmental protection, following the government's decision to not revoke the company's mining business license (IUP).

"In the near future, we will assign an environmental audit to add safeguard to mining activities at GAG," he informed during a meeting on the waste issue at the Presidential Palace.

He noted that for nearly four years now, PT GAG Nikel has demonstrated a high level of environmental...