Feb. 7, 2002: Minister of Industry and Trade Rini MS

Feb. 7, 2002: Minister of Industry and Trade Rini MS Soewandi, together with top military leaders, visit Riau to inspect sand mining activities. She deplores the environmental damage caused by sand mining and the low price paid by Singapore for Indonesian sand exports.

Feb. 15, 2002: Government issues a decree temporarily banning sand exports to allow a government team to explore a better sand mining and export system.

July 25, 2002: The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries issues a decree on sand mining zones aimed at restricting the extent of sand mining areas.

Sept. 5, 2002: The Ministry of Industry and Trade issues a decree limiting the amount of sand that can be exported to Singapore.

Jan. 23, 2003: The government issues a decree totally banning sand exports