Indonesian police said on Tuesday they have arrested nine tin ore collectors in a fresh crackdown on illegal mining in the main tin-producing islands, which may force smelters to remain shut for longer. Pipit Rismanto, head of the special crime unit in the Bangka-Belitung Police, told Reuters that the crackdown was launched over the weekend on Bangka island, when nine people were arrested and 8 tonnes of tin ore confiscated. "They were allegedly collecting tin ores from unclear sources and without proper documents," Rismanto said. He said the collectors may be charged for conducting illegal mining under the new mining and coal law passed in December, which carries a jail sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of 10 billion rupiah ($1 million).
Many independent smelters have shut down in recent weeks as a result of increased police activity against companies suspected of involvement in illegal mining. The crackdown was initially in response to a growth in trade in illegally mined tin ore from new small-scale mining operations in West Kalimantan to smelters in the traditional tin mining islands of Bangka and Belitung. Mining activity has also been slowed by the Ramadan fasting period and water shortages.
Johan Murod, a director of tin consortium Bangka-Belitung Timah Sejahtera, which consists of the seven affected smelters, said none of its members have resumed operations. "Most small smelters are still idle, especially now the police are targeting collectors," Murod said, adding that the smelters may not resume operation until the middle of October.
