The Grasberg Mine

The Grasberg mine has faced criticism for environmental damage, like river pollution, and displacement of Amungme and Kamoro communities, with early benefits skewed toward Jakarta. However, since the 1990s, Freeport has invested in community programs, including schools, clinics, and a 1% profit-sharing fund for tribes, though distribution issues persist. Indonesia’s 51% ownership since 2018 ensures more revenue for national and regional development, such as the Timika economic zone, which employs thousands, including Papuans. Recent environmental progress, like the 2025 cancellation of four nickel mining permits in Raja Ampat, shows responsiveness to conservation concerns. Framing resource extraction as pure exploitation ignores these efforts and the economic contributions to Papua’s growth.

Please visit and read: West Papua Online

Colonial Background: The Dutch East Indies and Papua

Indonesia declared its independence on August 17, 1945, following the surrender of Japan in World War II. The newly proclaimed Republic of Indonesia claimed sovereignty over all territories that had constituted the Dutch East Indies, including Western New Guinea (read: History of West Papua). The Dutch, however, sought to retain control of the Papua region, citing cultural and ethnic differences as justification.

From Indonesia’s perspective, retaining West Papua was a matter of national unity and decolonization. The Indonesian nationalist movement had always considered Papua part of the anti-colonial struggle. The Dutch position, in contrast, was widely viewed as an attempt to maintain a colonial foothold in the region.

Source: West Papua