Narrowing Nearly 500,000 Lands Of Mining Concession, PT Timah Admits It Is Still Difficult To Fight Illegal Mines

PANGKAL PINANG - Director of Business Development of PT Timah Suhendra Yusuf Ratuprawiranegara admits that it is still difficult to eradicate illegal mining activities that carry out mining activities within the mining concession area of PT Timah.

Suhendra said that illegal mining is still a concern for PT Timah, especially the board of directors. He admitted that until now his party still had difficulty controlling and supervising. Moreover, PT Timah has an area of Mining Business Permits (IUP) which reaches nearly 500,000 hectares spread across land and sea.

"Maybe from the supervisory side and so on, when we used to maybe today it was a little weak, we have to admit," said Suhendra at a media meeting in Pangkal Pinang, Sunday, August 24.

He explained that the problem of illegal mining had been going on for a long time. Initially, PT Timah had exclusive rights to mine lead in Bangka and its surroundings. With this regulation, not a single private party and the public can carry out mining activities.

"Well, at that time it was opened, to this day it has started to spread and has become a mindset. Then, I'm sorry I can say that it has become a culture here. Now this is what we have to change. It means changing culture is not easy," he explained.

For this reason, Suhendra ensured that PT Timah would reorganize the governance of responsible mining practices.

On the other hand, PT Timah is also active in conducting a series of education and information to the public, including opening partnerships in mining. However, he continued, other problems are often found when there is a price inequality between PT Timah and other IUP owners.

"This is a concern from many parties, 'Wow, we're just looking for a good price. This is not a good price, it's not interesting'. Now, from the business side, we want to try to synchronize everything so that everything becomes manageable," he said.