Babel ratifies bylaw on artisanal mining permits to boost community economy

The Bangka Belitung Islands Provincial Government, together with the Bangka Belitung Islands DPRD, has ratified a Regional Regulation (Raperda) on Artisanal Mining Permits (IPR) to encourage economic growth and public welfare in the region. “Alhamdulillah, we have ratified the IPR Bylaw as a legal umbrella for the tin mining community,” said Bangka Belitung Islands Governor Hidayat Arsani following the Bangka Belitung DPRD Plenary Session and the signing of the IPR Bylaw ratification in Pangkalpinang on Monday. He expressed appreciation to the Bangka Belitung Islands DPRD for championing and ratifying this Raperda into a Regional Regulation on Artisanal Mining Permits, enabling the public to mine tin ore legally in mining areas designated by the government. “For now, the IPR is designated for East Belitung, South Bangka, and Central Bangka Regencies, while other regencies will follow,” he said. He expressed hope that the IPR Bylaw would also resolve various issues related to artisanal tin mining, such as illegal mining and illegal tin smuggling in the region. “We thank the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, for supporting the establishment of the IPR Bylaw in the Bangka Belitung Islands Province,” he said. Bangka Belitung Islands DPRD Chairman Didit Srigusjaya emphasised that the IPR would impact regional economic growth, as the Bangka Belitung Islands’ Gross Regional Domestic Product is currently supported by the plantation sector rather than the mining sector. “God willing, with this IPR, we will not only boost the GRDP but also improve the economy and the purchasing power of the people in this region,” he said. He thanked the Governor of the Bangka Belitung Islands for fighting for the IPR, calling it a form of the governor’s commitment to following up on the people’s aspirations. “I hope the Governor of the Bangka Belitung Islands will be careful in drafting the gubernatorial regulation for this IPR. Do not let certain individuals benefit from it, leaving the governor to bear the burden when problems arise,” he said.