President Prabowo orders shutdown of 1,000 illegal tin mines
Monday, September 29 2025 - 11:23 PM WIB
President Prabowo Subianto has directed the National Police, the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), and the Directorate General of Customs and Excise to initiate a large-scale operation to shut down illegal tin mining operations in Bangka Belitung. The crackdown targets around 1,000 illegal mining sites in the region, which are contributing to substantial state revenue losses through smuggling activities.
In a statement on Monday, Prabowo highlighted the serious financial impact of these illegal activities, stating that the country could lose up to IDR 22 trillion (approximately USD 1.2 billion) by the end of 2025, and up to IDR 45 trillion (approximately USD 2.6 billion) by 2026, if not addressed. “Bangka Belitung has become a hub for global tin mining, with about 1,000 illegal mines. Since September 1, I have ordered related authorities to take action and shut down nearly 80 percent of the smuggled tin,” Prabowo said.
The operation aims to stop the illegal export of tin, which has been transported using various methods, including small boats and ferries. Prabowo emphasized that no shipments can leave the area, ensuring tighter control over the illegal trade.
Read also: Government bans export of all rare earth metals from tin mining
The president also raised concerns about the potential value of waste generated by tin mining in the region. “What’s more concerning is that the waste has very high value because it contains rare earth minerals. Many are unaware of this, as they regard it as waste when in fact, it holds significant value,” he explained.
To address this issue, Prabowo has instructed Customs and Excise to recruit chemists to analyze and identify the rare earth minerals in the waste material from abandoned tin mines. “I am ordering Customs and Excise to recruit chemists to conduct inspections. The sand could be of extraordinary value,” he added, highlighting similar concerns in other mining sectors such as nickel, coal, and bauxite.
Prabowo expressed hope that the cleanup of illegal mining operations would reduce state financial losses, thereby increasing national revenues. “By eliminating these illegal mines, we can close the financial leaks and boost the country’s prosperity,” he concluded.
Editing by Alexander Ginting