Police issue final warning against illegal mining in West Bangka

The West Bangka Resort Police, under the Bangka Belitung Islands Regional Police, have halted illegal tin ore mining activities in the waters of Tembelok to Keranggan, Mentok District, due to a lack of permits and the potential for environmental destruction.

“Today, the Water and Air Police Unit, together with the Water and Air Police Directorate of the Bangka Belitung Regional Police, returned to the Tembelok and Keranggan waters to issue appeals and reprimands to miners still attempting to conduct illegal mining activities along the coast,” said the Head of Public Relations for the West Bangka Police, Iptu Yos Sudarso, in Mentok on Sunday.

During the operation, officers discovered diving-type mining activities and “user-user” methods, which involve simple drilling patterns.

Officers subsequently issued reprimands and demanded that the miners cease their activities. The miners were also instructed to immediately withdraw their mining pontoons from the Tembelok and Keranggan waters to prevent illegal mining from recurring in the area.

“This is our effort to preserve the marine ecosystem; we are inviting the community to work together to protect the waters from illegal mining activities,” he said.

To prevent illegal mining from resuming, the police have requested that members of the public report any illegal mining activities found in the area immediately.

Yos stated that prevention and enforcement efforts will continue to ensure the security and sustainability of the West Bangka maritime region.

He emphasised that this reprimand serves as a final warning for the miners. If the warning is ignored, the police will take more decisive action.

“This is the final warning. If it is not heeded, the mining equipment at the location will be forcibly removed and confiscated,” he said.