Apparatus Seizes 4 Pontons Related To Illegal Mining Of Tin Seeds In British Bay, West Bangka

The West Bangka Resort Police conducted education and appeals to eradicate tin ore wild mining activities in the British Gulf of Mentok. (ANTARA/Donatus Dasaprana).

The joint apparatus confiscated four units of tin ore mining pontoons suspected of carrying out illegal mining in the waters of the British Gulf, Mentok, West Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands Province (Babel).

"The miner who uses the mining pontoon is suspected of operating at night so it is necessary to take firm action by confiscating the equipment," said Head of the Public Relations Section of the West Bangka Police, Iptu Yos Sudarso in Mentok, Friday, August 1, confiscated by Antara.

The action against mining activities was carried out by a joint team of officers consisting of personnel from the West Bangka Police Polairud Unit together with the Mentok Navy Post.

This operation targeted a number of pontoons that looked inactive during the day, but were strongly suspected of carrying out illegal mining activities secretly at night.

Prior to taking this firm action, the West Bangka Police on Thursday, July 31, had conveyed an appeal to miners and residents at that location not to carry out mining activities without permission.

However, because there are still some miners who do not comply with the regulation, control and confiscation are carried out.

"From the results of patrols in the field, the team found four units of pontoons that were strongly suspected of mining at night, therefore we immediately withdrew and secured the four pontoons," he said.

Currently, the four pontoons are in the process of evacuating to the West Bangka Police's Mako Pos Polairud for further safekeeping.

This firm action is a form of commitment from the West Bangka Police to eradicate illegal mining activities.

"We are not waiting until the activity occurs, if there are indications and intentions to resume operations illegally, we will act," he said.

This control is also a form of response to a mining work accident that killed one miner on Wednesday, July 30 at that location. At that incident, the victim named Samrun (35), a resident of Pagaralam, South Sumatra, was found dead on the seabed while diving to pick up tin ore using floating pontoons.

In addition to the four pontoons that were successfully withdrawn, the team also found several other pontoons parked in the waters, but due to the problem of receding sea water, it could not be executed.

"We make sure tomorrow the team will return to control the remaining pontoons that have not been withdrawn today. This operation will continue until the area is completely clean of illegal mining activities," he said.

West Bangka Police Chief AKBP Pradana Aditya Nugraha appealed to residents and mining actors not to play with their own laws and safety.

"Illegal mining not only damages the environment, but has also been proven to be life-threatening. We will continue to carry out patrols and take firm action in order to maintain public order and safety," he said.