Reclamation of ex-Koba Tin concession has yet to start

Reclamation of the former tin concession of PT Koba Tin in Bangka Belitung Province has yet to start, although existing regulation requires the reclamation work to be completed next year.

Kontan quoted Director of Mineral Management and Development at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Bambang Susigit as saying that completion of the reclamation work also forms part of requirements for the ministry to be able to offer the former Koba Tin concession to other investors via tender.

The former tin concession must be first converted into special mining business license work area (WIUPK) for the government to be able to offer the concession to other investors. Without completion of the reclamation work, the concession can?t be converted into WIUPK, he explained.

Bambang said that that Koba Tin has already deposited reclamation funds worth US$16.8 million with the government after its contract expired in 2013. But the ministry could not yet utilize the funds for reclamation work until Koba Tin clearly states in a letter it would not proceed with the reclamation process.

He said that according to existing regulation, Koba Tin is required to complete the reclamation work five years after its contract expired in 2013, which means it must be completed in 2018. (*)