Timah looking for new tin concession

IDX-tin giant PT Timah Tbk is looking for a new tin concession particularly outside Bangka Belitung province following recent suspension of its Kelabat offshore operation by the provincial administration.

The plan was revealed Timah Corporate Secretary Agung Nugroho on Monday, but did not provide further details. ?We?re looking for mine location in other areas,? he told Kontan.

The Bangka Belitung provincial administration suspended January 27 the Kelabat offshore tin mining operation following protest from some fishermen and non-governmental organizations, who claimed that the mining operation has caused damage to local marine environment.

Timah has protested the suspension, with Agung saying that the company has the necessary licenses for the Kelabat operation, and that those who protested the offshore operation were only a small group of fishermen. The company has said that the local administration should have focussed on clamping down illegal miners.

Timah fears that the suspension of the Kelabat mining operation may trigger the suspension of its other offshore operations, which account for 70 percent the company?s total production. Kelabat accounts for about 10 percent.

Timah has set tin production target of about 30,000 tons this year. (*)