Eight tin smelters on the Indonesian island of Bangka were expected to hear by today whether they will receive permits to resume operations, according to Metal Bulletin. However local sources say that the deadline has now been put back to January 19.
[SNIP]
The island’s three largest privately-owned smelters are among a group of eight companies that will receive word of operating permits. Meanwhile owners and senior managers of the three – DS Jaya Abadi, CV Bangka Putra Karya (BPK) and CV Donna Kembara Jaya – are facing another week of court hearings in Pangkalpinang, Bangka.
All the 20 plus independent smelters in Bangka were closed down by the authorities in early October last year as the main element in a crackdown on illegal small-scale mining.
Those permitted to re-open are likely to face extra restrictions on purchases, payments of royalties and exports.
