Bangka Regent Reiterates Ban on Mining in Baturusa Cerucuk Watershed

Mining activities in the Baturusa Cerucuk Watershed area and the lands of Jade Bahrin Village, Bangka Regency, are increasingly rampant and causing environmental damage along the river flow. This situation has prompted the local government to request that miners immediately cease operations in the prohibited area. In addition to the watershed, mining activities on the lands of Jade Bahrin Village, Merawang Subdistrict, are also requested to be temporarily halted until the determination of the People’s Mining Area (WPR) is completed. Bangka Regent Feri Insani emphasised that no regulations permit mining activities in watershed areas. He urged all miners to immediately stop their operations. “The rules are clear; watersheds along river banks must not be mined,” the Regent said during a meeting with the Jade Bahrin community on Monday (30/3) night. Regarding the lands of Jade Bahrin Village, the local government also requested that mining activities be temporarily stopped while awaiting the issuance of the WPR. “For Jade Bahrin Village, we proposed over 99 hectares, but Governor of Babel Hidayat Arsani approved only 45.2 hectares, as the rest falls into the watershed or prohibited areas,” he stated. He added that the community would only be permitted to conduct mining activities after the WPR area is officially designated. “For now, do not mine, whether miners from Jade Bahrin Village or neighbouring villages like Balun Ijuk and Kimak,” he stressed. Bangka Police Chief AKBP Dedy Dwitya Putra affirmed that the watershed area is one that must not be mined. Police apparatus together with the Bangka Belitung Islands Regional Police will carry out enforcement if illegal activities continue. “Immediately stop and dismantle the mining equipment; if not, we will dismantle it and take legal action,” the Police Chief said. He emphasised that crackdowns on illegal mining, particularly in the watershed and Jade Bahrin Village lands, are being carried out seriously. Several collectors who purchase tin from that area have reportedly been acted against by authorities. “Several collectors buying tin from Jade Bahrin Village and the watershed have already been dealt with, so this will continue,” he said. The Police Chief again reminded miners to immediately cease their activities. “Do it quickly; if not, don’t blame us, we will take action,” he stated.