inp.polri.go.id - Sungailiat. The Bangka Sub-regional Police's Water and Air Unit has suspended the seven unconventional tin ore mining units without permits in the Pasir River Village, Sungailiat, Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands.

"We forcibly stopped the unconventional tin ore mining activities because they lacked permits and were located in the river basin," said First Police Inspector Aria Tanjung, Head of the Bangka Sub-regional Police's Water and Air Unit, in Sungailiat, Wednesday (9/30/2026).

Aria said officers found seven units of machinery, tin ore mining equipment, and several workers at the location.

He said the police are currently prioritizing persuasive measures by instructing the miners to cease their activities.

"We are currently using persuasive measures, but if mining activities continue in the same location in the future, they will be prosecuted according to applicable law," he said.

He stated that mining activities in the Pasir River Village have the potential to cause environmental damage and disrupt the surrounding community.

Concerns about the impacts include shallowing of the estuary, erosion of residents' land, and disturbances to public safety due to the noise of mining machinery.

According to Aria, preliminary investigations indicate that the mining activities are being carried out on the initiative of the miners, and no one has been found to be coordinating the activities.

"We do not prohibit the community from operating tin mining businesses, but they must be equipped with official permits and located within designated mining areas," he said.

Aria emphasized the importance of preserving river basins because they play a vital role in maintaining ecosystems and aquatic biota habitats.

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