Locals demand transfer of Timah?s old tin mines

Bangka regency administration in Bangka-Belitung (Babel) province has been urged to transfer to locals old tin mines no longer operated by state tin mining firm PT Timah Tbk, local daily Bangka Post reported Saturday.

On Friday, around 100 people claiming to be from small-scale tin mining firms operating in Bangka marched to the regency council (DPRD) to air their demand.

They told council members that many villagers, notably from southern Bangka who washed tin ores at tin mining projects, could survive economically only if Timah?s old mines were transferred to people?s tin mining firms. They asked the council to facilitate a meeting between them and Timah?s officials.

The protesters also urged the government, through the council, to keep the price of tin sold by local tin miners from further falling.

Timah?s officials had complained about rampant tin mining activities at its old mines in Bangka, saying that such activities would cause damages to area environment.

Publicly listed Timah Tbk, the world?s largest integrated tin firm, operates tin mines in Bangka and nearby Belitung Island. It also runs a huge tin smelting plant in Bangka. (*)