West Bangka Police Illegal Tin Miners In Belolaut

The West Bangka Police Team carried out controlling tin ore wild mining activities in the mangrove forest area of Belolaut Village, Mentok. (ANTARA)

MENTOK - Police Resort (Polres) West Bangka, Bangka Belitung Islands Province carried out control of tin ore wild mining activities located in the mangrove Belolaut forest area, Mentok District.

"We are controlling mining activities because they do not have a permit from related agencies and these activities damage the environment in the coastal area of the village," said Head of the West Bangka Police Polairud Unit, Iptu Yudi Lasmono, quoted by ANTARA, Friday, November 17.

In controlling mining by means of an inconventional mining pattern using this water suction engine, the joint team obtained eight mining machines that were being used by miners.

"When we came to the location, the miners managed to escape so we only found mining tools," he said.

The control carried out was witnessed by a number of residents and homeowners near the mine site.

After controlling the Bakau Belo forest area, the team then moved to the Paitjaya waters not far from the first location. The team moved by small boat and when they arrived at the location there was no mining activity.

"In Paitjaya waters, we only found several pontoons parked in the waters without any workers or mining activities, so the team returned to land and carried out further consolidation," he said.

The control in the two locations was carried out by the West Bangka Police team because several times the appeal had been conveyed directly to miners not to carry out mining activities without a permit.

"Today we have brought order and confiscated a number of evidences, if they are still repeating these activities, we will take firm action according to the applicable law," he said.