Raja Ampat is known worldwide as one of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems on the planet. With coral reefs so rich they seem to breathe with life and waters that shelter more species than anywhere else on Earth, it's no wonder the region has earned the name "the last paradise." But even paradise isn’t safe.
A proposed nickel mining expansion now threatens to disrupt this fragile ecosystem — and for those of us committed to sustainable resource use, this hits close to home.
At Kaltimber, we work exclusively with reclaimed wood, salvaged from structures already standing and destined for demolition — not from forests. We believe that respecting natural ecosystems is not only possible, but necessary, especially in a country as rich in biodiversity as Indonesia.
Lessons from the Forest
We’ve seen what happens when extraction is prioritised over protection. In Kalimantan, once home to dense rainforests and some of the world’s rarest species, vast stretches of land have been degraded by decades of mining. The scars left behind are hard to miss: rivers clogged with sediment, forests replaced by barren pits, and wildlife populations pushed to the brink.
Kalimantan remains a sanctuary of forest biodiversity, but its losses serve as a sobering reminder of what unchecked resource exploitation can do. While the ecosystems differ — forest vs. reef — the principle is the same: once the balance is broken, it's incredibly difficult to restore.
The “Ocean’s Kalimantan”
If Kalimantan is a haven for forest life, Raja Ampat is its oceanic counterpart. Protecting it shouldn’t be up for debate. The coral reefs here not only support marine biodiversity, but also local communities, fisheries, and responsible eco-tourism — livelihoods that depend on a healthy, living ocean.
Nickel may be vital to modern industries like batteries and clean energy, but the cost of extraction in a place like Raja Ampat is far too high. It’s a false solution to one crisis that risks creating another.
A Call for Protection
As a company that chooses to work only with existing materials, we believe true sustainability means making better use of what we already have — not seeking more at nature’s expense.
We stand with the many voices, including sustainable tourism operators in Raja Ampat, urging the Indonesian government to not only halt the proposed mining expansion in Raja Ampat, but stop it altogether. This isn’t just about one region or one reef. It’s about what kind of future we’re building, and whether we’re still willing to learn from past mistakes.
Paradise is still here. Let’s keep it that way.