Regulation to ban tin ore exports may come out this week
Thursday, May 23 2002 - 12:21 PM WIB
?I have received the draft regulation from my staff. But, after thoroughly discussing and examining it, we decided to make some change on it,? Suara Pembaruan daily quoted the minister as saying.
?The regulation will be issued this week or next week,? Rini said.
The initial plan was that tin ore export ban would take effect on May 1, 2002. The minister however delayed the plan to June 15, and eventually set the date earlier to June 1.
Rini said earlier the delay was meant to give traditional tin miners in Bangka and nearby islands off Sumatra enough time for developing new undertakings to support themselves.
Nearly all traditional miners have produced tin ores without legal permits. Their activities not only have caused world tin prices fall significantly, but also have seriously damaged area environment.
State controlled mining firm PT Timah Tbk, the world?s largest integrated tin maker, had nearly collapsed due to a sharp fall in revenue. (*)