The Community Fragmentation and Local Social Transformation due to Mining Activities in Raja Ampat, Papua
A Review from the Perspective of Structural Inequality
Keywords:
mining; community fragmentation, structural inequality; Raja Ampat; Global SouthAbstract
This research examines the issue of mining in Papua. Papua, with its abundant natural resources, often becomes the primary target of mining exploitation. Despite the economic potential promised by the government, these mining activities frequently leave a legacy of environmental damage, community fragmentation, and profound social transformation. This case study highlights the impact of mining activities on local communities in Raja Ampat, Papua, an area known for its extraordinary underwater natural beauty. Using the perspective of structural inequality, this article analyzes how mining activities widen socioeconomic gaps, erode social cohesion, and fundamentally alter the structure of local society. Through Bourdieu's theory, it is explained that inequality in society occurs not only through economic control but also through the mastery of social, cultural, and symbolic capital. The study delves into the urgency of a more holistic and just development approach to prevent the negative impacts of mining and maintain socio-environmental sustainability in Papua.
References
Alfirdaus, L. K., T. Yuwono, H. Ardianto, and D. G. Manar. 2023. “Within-Community Conflict on Mining Policy: Assessing Implication in Rural Indonesia.” Jurnal Ilmu Sosial dan Humaniora 12(2).
Bourdieu, P. 1986. “The Forms of Capital.” Pp. 241–258 in Handbook of Theory and Research for the Sociology of Education, edited by J. Richardson. Greenwood.
Cender, A., and Y. Y. Wanane. 2025. “Integrated Environmental Management for Nickel Mining Communities in Papua.” Journal of Community Based Environmental Engineering and Management 9(2):125–132.
Fitrianti, A., R. Ramadhan, and B. Hidayat. 2024. “Dinamika Fragmentasi Sosial dan Perubahan Mata Pencaharian Lokal di Raja Ampat Pasca-Masuknya Industri Tambang.” 5(2):115–132.
Gokkon, B. 2025. Nickel Mining Threatens Raja Ampat Ecosystems, Communities & Conservation: Report. Asia-Pacific Solidarity Network.
Handoyo, B., and I. F. M. Rumengan. 2022. “Dampak Sedimentasi terhadap Ekosistem Terumbu Karang dan Kehidupan Nelayan di Raja Ampat.” 14(2):89–101. https://doi.org/10.29244/jikrt.v14i2.2022.
Imbir, C. 2025. “Raja Ampat Antara Transisi Energi, Nikel, dan Keadilan Ekologis.” July 5. https://petarungpapua.org/raja-ampat-antara-transisi-energi-nikel-dan-keadilan-ekologis/.
Karsadi, and La Aso. 2023. “Multidimensional Impacts of Nickel Mining Exploitation towards the Lives of the Local Community.” Jurnal Ilmu Sosial dan Humaniora 12(2):222–227.
Kusuma, J. P., C. F. Ananda, M. Khusaini, and A. Manzilati. 2023. “The Economic and Social Implications of Negative Externalities in Nickel Mining.” Archives of Business Research 11(8):174–188.
Lewerissa, E., A. Pattiselanno, and J. Tuhumury. 2023. “Kelembagaan Adat dan Pengelolaan Sumber Daya Alam di Tengah Masuknya Modal Eksternal.” Antropologi Indonesia 44(1). https://doi.org/10.7454/ai.v44i1.1234.
Ludia, F., B. Senia, D. H. Putri, and D. Rahmawati. 2022. “The Impact of Coal Mining on the Socio-Economic Conditions of the Community in Sangatta, East Kutai Regency.” Progress in Social Development 6(2).
Massenga, T. W. 2024. “Village Policy Study in Overcoming Social and Economic Inequality in Local Communities.” Jurnal Konseling dan Pendidikan 12(3):521–530.
Moraes, A., I. Santoso, and M. Putri. 2020. “Dampak Ekstraksi Sumber Daya terhadap Kohesi Komunitas dan Identitas Kultural di Wilayah Pertambangan Papua.” 12(1):45–64.
Nancy, N. 2024. “Potential Distortion of Sustainable Development in the Conflict of Interest of Nickel Mining and Indigenous Communities in Halmahera, North Maluku.” Journal of Global Environmental Dynamics 4(1).
NRGI (Natural Resource Governance Institute). 2025. Policy Paper: Socially, Nickel Mining and Downstream Activities in Indonesia Involve Unethical Land Acquisition and Unsafe Working Conditions.
Pasinringi, D. 2022. “Modal Kultural Masyarakat Adat dan Perlawanan terhadap Marginalisasi Ekonomi dalam Konteks Tambang di Papua Barat.” 8(3):201–218.
Pranoto, H., and H. Wambrauw. 2020. “Konflik Sosial dan Fragmentasi Komunitas akibat Aktivitas Pertambangan di Tanah Papua.” 8(3):210–224. https://doi.org/10.22500/sosped.v8i3.2020.
Pusparini, H., A. Nurhadi, and R. Sumarsono. 2020. “Fragmen Sosial dan Perubahan Institusi Adat Akibat Aktivitas Pertambangan di Raja Ampat.” 3(4):55–73.
Ramandei, L., and Y. Y. Wanane. 2025. “Integrated Environmental Management for Nickel Mining Communities in Papua.” Journal of Community Based Environmental Engineering and Management 9(2).
Samanlangi, I. 2024. “Economic Disparities and Social Challenges in Mining Regions: A Case Study Approach.” The Journal of Academic Science 1(8).
Sari, N. 2021. “Persepsi Komunitas Lokal terhadap Ketimpangan Distribusi Manfaat Pertambangan di Raja Ampat.” 2(1):22–37.
Setyowati, D., and R. Susilo. 2020. “Ketidakadilan Struktural dan Resistensi Komunitas Adat terhadap Industri Ekstraktif di Papua.” 10(2):78–95.
Studi Papua & Pasifik. 2021. Economic Dependency and Environmental Justice in Small-Scale Mining Regions of Papua New Guinea and the Wider Pacific.
Syahputra, A. 2024. “Social and Economic Impact of Industrialization Nickel Mining on the Community (Study of Wonuamorome Village, Konawe Regency).” Papsel Journal of Humanities and Policy 1(1):1–9.
Tjoetra, A., S. Samwil, S. Suadi, A. Khairi, and F. Mauliansyah. 2024. “The Gap Between Ecological Violence and Social Injustice from Mining Industries in Post-Conflict West Aceh.” Simulacra 8(1).
Tjoetra, F., Y. Wibowo, and T. Mandala. 2023. “Transformasi Sosial Lokal dan Fragmentasi Komunitas: Studi Tambang Nikel di Raja Ampat.” 7(1):99–118.
Tsing, A. L. 2022. Friction: An Ethnography of Global Connection. Princeton University Press.
Ulat, M. A., H. Handayani, A. Mulya, H. Poltak, and I. Ismail. 2024. “Analysis of the Social, Economic, and Ecological Impact of Mining Activities of PT. Gag Nickel on Society and Coral Reef Ecosystem in Gag Island, Raja Ampat District.” Formosa Journal of Multidisciplinary Research 3(10):3731–3746. https://doi.org/10.55927/fjmr.v3i10.11612.
Wenifrida, M. T. 2024. “Village Policy Study in Overcoming Social and Economic Inequality in Local Communities.” Jurnal Konseling dan Pendidikan 11(4):512–520.
Yudhistira, M., E. Supriyadi, and F. Oktaviani. 2021. “Pertambangan dan Perubahan Struktur Penghidupan Masyarakat Pesisir di Papua Barat.” 17(4):245–258. https://doi.org/10.14710/pwk.v17i4.29567
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Abstract views: 101
,
PDF Downloads: 46
