PT Timah Takes Over PT Kobatin IUP In Babel

Joint forces control illegal tin ore mining in the areas of Pungk, Kinari, and Marbuk, Central Bangka Regency (doc. Antara).

PT Timah Tbk has taken over the Mining Business License (IUP) belonging to PT Kobatin in three potential areas in Central Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands Province.

"Three points that previously entered PT Kobatin's IUP have been handed over to PT Timah, namely the mining area of Kinari, Pungguk, and Marbuk," said Head of PAM Darat PT Timah Tbk, Enjang, on Thursday, May 23, 2024, as reported by Antara.

Enjang further explained that on this basis, his party coordinated with the police and local governments to secure their IUPs, which are currently being looted by illegal miners.

"The three areas have entered the IUP of PT Timah Tbk and that is in accordance with the decree from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources," said Enjang again.

Thus, PT Timh Tbk is obliged to secure their assets from illegal tin ore mining activities.

"We have asked for assistance from the security forces to clean up Pungk, Kinari, and Marbuk from illegal mining activities," he said.

The Head of Operations for the Central Bangka Police, Kompol Dewi, said that his party had received an order number: sprin/2649/V/PAM.3.2/2024 which was based on a security letter from PT Timah Tbk because the former PT Kobatin IUP area had been submitted to PT Timah.

"Based on this order, we carry out control by involving a joint team, namely the TNI, Satpol PP, and DLH (Environmental Service)," he said.

However, Kompol Dewi revealed that the initial stage of control was only in the form of an appeal by posting banners prohibiting mining tin ore in Pungguk, Kinari, and Marbuk.

"The control this time is only humane, only our appeal and personnel are prohibited from carrying weapons. However, we hope that miners can heed the appeal, before law enforcement is carried out," he said.