PANGKALPINANG -- Sustainable reclamation is a concrete step taken by PT Timah to protect the environmental ecosystem. PT Timah carries out reclamation on land and at sea.
In 2023, PT Timah will carry out a number of marine reclamation programs, such as sinking artificial reefs, installing abrasion barriers, and restocking mangrove crabs.
PT Timah carries out sea reclamation in the Bangka Belitung Islands Province and Riau Islands Province. Members of the MIND ID mining industry involve communities around the mine in carrying out sea reclamation.
In the Bangka Belitung Islands Province, sea reclamation was carried out by sinking 1,920 artificial reef units. Thousands of these artificial reefs were sunk in the waters of Bangka Regency, Central Bangka Regency, West Bangka Regency, and South Bangka Regency.
The sea reclamation carried out by PT Timah Tbk since 2016 is the company's effort to protect marine and coastal ecosystems. The artificial reef that PT Timah Tbk has sunk has become a place for fish to breed and is expected to become a new fishing area for fishermen. Apart from that, the sea reclamation carried out by PT Timah Tbk is also an effort to support underwater tourism by immersing artificial reefs.
Meanwhile, in the Riau Islands Province, sea reclamation was carried out by restocking 1000 mangrove crabs and 200 meters of abrasion barrier.
Abrasion protection is the company's effort to protect coastal ecosystems and prevent abrasion.
Head of Corporate Communications at PT Timah, Anggi Siahaan, said that PT Timah continues to be committed to implementing good mining principles and prioritizing aspects of environmental conservation.
In carrying out marine reclamation, PT Timah involves academics, fishermen, and local communities.
PT Timah integrates reclamation and community empowerment programs. It is hoped that this community involvement will have an economic impact on the community.
"In carrying out environmental management such as reclamation, PT Timah involves the community around the mine in the hope of having an economic impact on the community," he said.
The benefits of reclamation activities carried out by PT Timah have been felt by the community, as stated by Amran Fisherman from Sawang Laut Village.
Amran said that he was happy with the crab restocking activity carried out by PT Timah because it had direct benefits for the fishing community and also the environment.
"I really support this activity because later we fishermen will also feel the results. With lots of crabs, of course, our income will also increase," he said. (*)
