PT Timah will spend US$4 million for mine rehabilitation

State owned tin mining company PT Timah would soon begin the rehabiliation of its former tin mining sites in Bangka island, which has been delayed for almost three years because many parts of the ex-mining sites have been occupied by illegal miners, Kompas reported on Monday.

Thobrani Alwi, the president of PT Timah said in Pangkal Pinang, the capital of Bangka and Belitung province, said Saturday that the rehabilitation which would not only include reclamation and reforestation of the former mining sites but also the construction of public utilities for the communities around the mining sites, would cost the company about US$4 million or Rp 36 billion or about Rp 10 million per hectare.

"The first stage of the reclamation works are scheduled for commencement this year," he said, adding that the company would grow castor oil plants on the reclaimed mining areas part of the rehabilitation program.

The company initially planned to begin the rehabilitation works at its former mining sites in 2003 but it was later delayed because many parts of the former mining sites were occupied by illegal miners.

Thobrani said that the rehabilitation of the former mining sites would be carried out in cooperation with the local governments. (*)