Bangka awaits new regulation to curb illegal tin mining

The Bangka Belitung government is waiting for the issuance of new regulation from the province?s legislative council to take a serious action on rampant illegal tin mining activities in the province, Kompas daily reported on Tuesday.

?When the regulation is issued, we will seize all the mining equipment and take another strong measure to curb the ?unconventional? tin mines in the province,? the governor of Bangka Belitung Hudarni Rani said.

The activities of the people?s tin mining activities have spread in almost all parts of the province including its conservation areas. ?Their activities have seriously damaged the environment,? he said.

The illegal tin miners mostly operate in tin concession areas owned by the state owned tin mining company PT Timah, which is in charge in all tin exploration and production in the province.

The illegal mining has also caused the increase in the smuggling of tin ores to foreign countries. (*)