The action by police that began two weeks ago against companies alleged to be involved with illegal mining continues to restrict activity in Indonesia, Metal Bulletin reports. Johan Murod, a director at Bangka Belitung Timah Sejahtera (BBTS), told MB that smelters were “keeping a low profile” by not producing or buying any ore from independent miners.
“Hundreds of miners from Java have even gone home early to observe fasting and celebrate the upcoming [Hari Raya] holiday in their hometowns,” Murod said. “They can’t earn money by staying put in Bangka since no-one is buying at the moment.” The smelters are expected to resume operations in October when workers return and the situation becomes calmer, he said.
Indonesia’s two major integrated producers, PT Timah and PT Koba Tin, have not been affected by the latest police crackdown and have recently both re-affirmed that they can meet annual production targets of 45-48,000 tonnes and just over 9,000 tonnes respectively.
