PANGKAL PINANG - PT Timah Tbk (TINS) is targeting primary tin mining in 2026. PT Timah's Director of Business Development, Suhendra Yusuf Ratuprawiranegara, stated that this is due to PT Timah's depleted alluvial tin reserves. Therefore, the company is targeting primary tin mining.
For information, based on data from the Geological Agency in the 2025 Mineral and Coal Resources and Reserves Balance, tin ore mined in Indonesia generally comes from alluvial tin deposits, also known as secondary tin or placer tin.
"Based on the exploration data we have at PT Timah, it can be said that these alluvial tin reserves are starting to decrease, and will be depleted by 2029," Suhendra said during a media conference in Pangkal Pinang on Sunday, August 24.
Suhendra stated that this primary tin mining initiative is PT Timah's response to not fully utilizing its primary reserves. In fact, he said, PT Timah's primary reserves are estimated at 300,000 tons.
"I'd say around 300,000 or more. We'll start mining for the next five years, starting now. We'll try to optimize it," he continued.
He continued, saying that PT Timah will consider various appropriate and efficient technologies to develop these reserves to contribute to the company's profits.
Suhendra said that his company is currently targeting primary mining in Paku, South Bangka Regency, and Batu Besi in Belitung Regency. However, Suhendra confirmed that PT Timah has four to five primary tin mining locations.
"Our current concern is developing two locations. There are several locations, if I'm not mistaken, four to five," he said.
He continued, adding that there are already primary tin mines operating. He assured that the company will conduct a re-feasibility study, adjusting to the geological conditions, the latest technology, and technical conditions in the field.
"I see this next step will definitely involve blasting, given the existing conditions, contours, and geology; the primary material is rock," Suhendra continued.
Currently, his company has signed a contract with a partner for the next 10 years.
"There's a policy from the President Director of PT Timah to try to work on this ourselves. We're currently preparing for that future step. We'll likely start work as early as 2026," he concluded.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
