Author: Naura SofiaEditor: Lasti Martina29 Sep 2025 - 22:35
File photo - Suction pontoon boats conduct illegal tin ore mining in the waters of Kelabat Dalam Bay, Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands, in January 2025. The operations have damaged coastal ecosystems, destroyed mangrove forests, polluted surrounding waters, and harmed coral reefs, resulting in income loss for local fishing communities due to declining fish stocks. (Photo: Antara/Nova Wahyudi)
KBRN, Jakarta: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has ordered the Indonesian Military (TNI), National Police, and the Directorate General of Customs and Excise to launch a large-scale operation targeting smuggling routes and 1,000 illegal tin mining sites in Bangka Belitung, which have cost the state tens of trillions of rupiah.
Speaking before political party leaders in Jakarta on Monday, September 29, 2025, President Prabowo stated that the crackdown is expected to prevent potential state losses of up to IDR 22 trillion (approximately USD 1.47 billion) between September and December 2025, with the figure projected to reach IDR 45 trillion by the end of 2026.
“Bangka Belitung has long been a leading global tin mining center. It hosts 1,000 illegal mines. Starting September 1, I ordered the TNI, Police, and Customs to launch a massive operation to shut down what has allowed nearly 80 percent of our tin to be smuggled out. We’re closing it down, 80 percent of our tin!” the President declared.
He explained that smugglers have used various methods, including small boats and passenger ferries, to transport illegally mined tin off the islands.
“Now it’s closed. Nothing gets out, not even a canoe,” he said, as quoted by antaranews.com.
Beyond illegal mining and smuggling, President Prabowo also highlighted the overlooked potential of rare earth minerals found in tin mining waste in Bangka Belitung.
“What’s more concerning, yet also promising, is that the tailings, which many thought were waste, actually contain high-value minerals known as rare earth. Perhaps our officials didn’t realize it. They saw waste, but it’s rare earth,” he explained.
To address this, the President instructed Customs and Excise to recruit chemical experts to identify and assess the rare earth content in the mining waste.
“I’ve now ordered Customs and Excise to bring in chemical experts to examine it. What looks like sand actually holds extraordinary value,” he said.
President Prabowo noted that similar issues exist in other sectors, including nickel, coal, and bauxite, which also face widespread illegal mining. He directed that these operations be regulated, cleaned up, or taken over by the state.
He expressed optimism that this nationwide “clean-up” initiative would curb financial leaks and significantly boost state revenue.
“If we enforce this properly, In Shaa-Allah [God willing], our national income will increase. We’ll close the leaks and the nation will prosper,” he concluded.
Source: https://rri.co.id/en/national/1867145/president-prabowo-orders-closure-of-1-000-illegal-tin-mines
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