Indonesia's Forestry Ministry to restore 50 ha of ex-tin mining land

Sungailiat, Bangka Belitung (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Forestry Ministry, together with the Sigambir-Kotawaringin Production Forest Management Unit in Bangka Belitung Province, is restoring about 50 hectares (124 acres) of former tin mining land, an official said on Saturday. Tanaim, head of the Sigambir-Kotawaringin unit, said the rehabilitation would be carried out by planting various forest tree species to restore ecological functions on degraded land. He said the ministry and local forestry officials had conducted field verification to determine which former mining areas were eligible for forest restoration. Based on mapping results, rehabilitation will focus on protected forest areas in Sambung Giri, forest zones in Lubuk Kelik Subdistrict, and forest land in Pemali Subdistrict. Tanaim said assessments targeted ex-mining sites that still have potential for enrichment planting and reforestation with suitable forestry species. Former tin mining areas remain extensive in Bangka Belitung, one of Indonesia’s main tin-producing regions, leaving degraded landscapes vulnerable to erosion and environmental damage. The Forestry Ministry will use state budget funds to gradually rehabilitate the land, including supplying tree seedlings suited to local soil and climate conditions, he said. He added that authorities would continue verifying the legal status of former mining land to ensure it is “clean and clear” before rehabilitation begins. Tanaim called on local governments and communities to support forest recovery efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of restored areas. He expressed optimism that the restoration of approximately 50 hectares would be completed by the end of 2026. Indonesia has intensified land rehabilitation efforts in recent years to address environmental damage caused by extractive industries, including tin mining, which has long contributed to deforestation and land degradation in Bangka Belitung. Tin mining, both legal and illegal, has scarred large swathes of land in the island province, prompting authorities to step up reclamation and forest restoration programs. The government aims to balance economic activity with environmental protection through stricter oversight and post-mining rehabilitation requirements.