Koba Tin's president director detained

Public presecutors have arrested Kamardin M, Top, the president director of tin mining company PT Koba Tin, on charges of violating the forestry law, Media Indonesia reported Wednesday.

Kamardin has been in the public prosecutors' custody since February 16, a deputy at the Bangka-Belitung public prosecutors office Eko Susilo Hadi said.

"Kamardin has been declared as a suspect," Hadi said.

Meanwhile, Koba Tin's Director Darmansyah Nawawi was quoted by Reuters as saying that the detention has not affected the firm's tin output, shipments, and exports.

Exports in February are seen at 480 tons, compared with 650 tons in January, he said.

PT Koba is Indonesia's second biggest tin miner and producer.

Malaysian Smelting Corp Bhd acquired 75 percent stake in PT Koba Tin in 2002. PT Koba Tin operates under a CoW issued by the Indonesian Central Government and covering a total mining acreage of about 41,000 ha in Bangka-Belitung province. The CoW has enough reserves to last until its expiry date at the end of 2013. (*)