Police halt seven unlicensed tin mines in Bangka river

The Water and Air Police Unit (Satpolairud) of the Bangka Police District has halted the activities of seven unconventional tin ore mining units operating without permits in the Kampung Pasir river flow, Sungailiat, Bangka Belitung Islands.

“We have forcibly stopped these unconventional tin ore mining activities because they are not equipped with permits and are located within a river basin area,” said the Head of the Bangka Police Water and Air Unit, Iptu Aria Tanjung, in Sungailiat on Wednesday.

Aria stated that officers discovered seven mining units, along with mining equipment and several workers, at the site.

According to him, the police are currently prioritising a persuasive approach by instructing the miners to cease their activities.

“At this moment, we are still acting persuasively; however, if mining activities continue in the same location in the future, legal action will be taken in accordance with applicable laws,” he said.

He noted that mining activities in the Kampung Pasir river flow have the potential to cause environmental damage and disturb the local community. The feared impacts include the siltation of river mouths, abrasion of residents’ land, and noise disturbances caused by mining machinery.

Aria added that, based on preliminary investigations, the mining activities were carried out on the miners’ own initiative, and no coordinating party was found to be organising the operation.

“We do not prohibit the public from engaging in tin mining businesses, but they must be equipped with official permits and must be located within designated mining areas,” he said.

Aria reminded that river basins must be preserved due to their vital function in maintaining ecosystems and aquatic habitats.