Malaysian firm to explore tin on Kepulauan Riau

Malaysian major tin smelter Malaysia Smelting Corporation is studying the possibility of developing tin mines in a number of islands in the newly established province of Kepulauan Riau or the Riau archipelago, Neraca reported on Tuesday.

A number of senior officials of the company including the executive director Dato Mohd Anwar met the governor of the Kepulauan Riau, Ismeth Abdullah recently to convey their interest in developing tin mines in the province.

Ismeth said that the Malaysian firm planned to explore tin ores off South Kundur (Karimun regency), North Bintan (Bintan regency) and South Lingga (Lingga regency) islands, "The company's recent survey indicated large amount of tin ores in these locations," he said.

He hoped that the Malaysian company would soon realize their investment plan to help speed up the economic development in the new province. (*)