According to local news sources, PT Timah today stopped production by offshore dredges in Kelabat bay, Bangka island, in response to a request by the governor of Bangka Belitung province, Rustam Effendi. Operations in this area are said to account for about 10% of state tin company’s total mine production. According to the Kontan website, the governor’s request was made following complaints by fishermen and NGOs about alleged environmental damage caused by dredging.
It is not clear how long operations might be affected or whether the stoppage could be extended to other areas and dredges operated by private companies. Latest data published by Timah shows that offshore mining accounted for 69% of its production in the first three quarters of 2015, although a significant proportion of this comes from Kundur province rather than Bangka. According to the Kontan report, PT Timah is targeting production of 26,000 – 32,000 tonnes in 2016.
