"We have take legal measures against those involved in the illegal tin ore mining in Marbuk, Kinari and Pungguk areas in Koba subdistrict. We have named three suspects who are still grilled by the police," Central Bangka District Police Chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Slamet Ady Purnomo said here on Sunday.
The police have previously warned the illegal miners to stop their activities in the ex-mining area of PT Koba Tin, a tin mining and smelter company, but they ignored the warning.
"We have warned them several times, we have made a persuasive approach but they (the illegal miners) ignored it. Hence, we take legal measures," Purnomo said.
Some miners have been put on the wanted list as they managed to escape the police raid in the illegal mining locations.
"The illegal miners will be charged with article 158 of Law no. 4/2009 on mineral and coal mining for illegal mining activities," he added.
The authority has banned mining activities in the three areas for fear that the activities would damage the environment and cause flood.
"Mining activities are banned in the location, moreover the miners did not have mining license," he said.
Tin ore mining and smelter firm PT Koba Tin has stopped operation since 2013, but the company still has the obligation to reclaim the ex-mining area.
However, some villagers have conducted illegal mining in parts of the company's ex-mining area, including those in Marbuk, Kinari and Pungguk.
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Translator: Ahmadi, Sri Haryati
Editor: Suharto
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