A curb on small-scale tin mining on Indonesia’s Bangka and Belitung islands, announced in early August, has been strongly criticised by the general secretary of the Indonesian Tin Industry Association, Johan Murod.
Mr Murod claims that “[t]he government is not supporting the people for mining, they only support big companies”. He says that, while “[a]ll mining causes environmental damage.. after the mining, we (too) can make environmental improvements with the right regulation.” There is some truth to Mr Mudo’s statement.
But the legacy of rampant tin mining in this region isn’t solely due to illegal operators, but should also be placed at the door of global giant, BHP Billiton. Bumi plc, recently listed on the London Stock Exchange, is also in the frame, as is Rio Tinto, for the legacy it has left.
See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=11117&l=1.