Our ancestral lands embody not only physical territory but the soul and history of our people,” said Indigenous leader Datu Sukanda. “To disregard our voices is to undermine our very existence.
The Indigenous Cek Bocek/Selesek Reen Sury People have an ancestral and ongoing presence in the customary forests of the Sumbawa Regency of Indonesia. Their multi-generational, deep connection shapes every aspect of their lives.
Mining in and near customary lands of the Cek Bocek people has harmed the environment, destroyed traditional livelihoods, and violated numerous other rights, as exemplified by the case of the Batu Hijau mine.
The Batu Hijau mine began in the early 2000s under the control of PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara, a subsidiary of USA-based mining company and ICMM member, Newmont Corporation.
PT Newmont Nusa Tenggarra undertook exploration and development activities in ancestral Cek Bocek lands, allegedly without the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) of the tribe.
Despite the tribe’s persistent objections, PT Newmont Nusa Tenggarra proceeded without substantive consultation or consent of the Cek Bocek people, which was continued by PT Amman Mineral Nusa Tenggara (PT AMNT) when they acquired the project in 2016. Today, PT AMNT’s Batu Hijau mine is Indonesia’s second largest copper and gold mine.
In July 2024, PT AMNT was awarded The Copper Mark assurance of ‘responsibly produced copper’ at the Batu Hijau mine.
In August 2025, the Cek Bocek people filed a formal complaint with the Copper Mark. In it, they state various documented direct and systemic violations of Copper Mark’s own assurance criteria, including:
- Operating on their ancestral lands without their FPIC, which is also a violation of their legally-recognized rights as Indigenous peoples;
- Failure to respect the cultural rights and integrity of the community by destroying spiritually significant ancient burial sights and public cemeteries;
- Lack of engagement and dialogue by PT AMNT with the Cek Bocek people; and
- Total greenwashing by PT AMNT through hollow company ESG claims in its sustainability reporting and public communications about the project.
The tribe is demanding the immediate suspension of PT AMNT’s Copper Mark certification and a full, independent investigation into their complaint.
In addition to their demands of Copper Mark, representatives of the Cek Bocek people through the Indigenous Peoples’ Alliance of the Archipelago have officially escalated their case to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights.
The submission alleges various abuses of the rights of the Cek Bocek people over the decades by PT AMNT, PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara, and the Indonesia government including:
- Ongoing violations of the Free, Prior and Informed Consent;
- Intimidation and divisive tactics by PT AMNT including spreading rumors to restrict community access to the forest, using vigilantes to intimidate leaders;
- PT AMNT creating internal conflicts within the community to weaken collective resistance;
- PT AMNT’s manipulation of local authorities including funding political rivals to reject customary claims of the tribe; and
- Intimidation, violence, and criminalization by the Indonesian government acting to protect these corporate interests.
The campaign for justice for the Cek Bocek people is led by the Indigenous Peoples’ Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN) Sumbawa Chapter.
