Riau bans sand exports to Singapore

Riau has temporarily banned sand reclamation in the province following findings of massive illegal sand mining operations. The province has also banned exports of the sand to Singapore in bid to curb the illegal activities.

Governor Saleh Dasit said on Friday that the measure, which began effective this month would last until the local government issued a new sand mining policy, which could effectively halt the illegal sand mining and illegal exports to Singapore, the main buyer of the province's sand..

"Such a measure us needed until we get more effective policy to curb the illegal activities," he told newsmen in Batam following a coordinating meeting held by senior mining officials from all provinces in Sumatra.

Illegal sand exclamation activities particularly in the province's sea have escalated in recent years due to a strong demand from the neighboring Singapore, which uses the sand to expand its ground area. According to recent findings, only two of the 10 major sand miners in the province operate with proper permits. (*)