BANGKA BARAT -- The Indonesian Tin Museum (MTI) Mentok, managed by PT Timah, continues to attract both tourists and students who want to learn about the history of tin and the town of Mentok in West Bangka Regency.
Recently, a group of students and lecturers from the Bangka Belitung State Manufacturing Polytechnic (Polman Babel) visited the Indonesian Tin Museum after touring PT Timah Tbk's Division of Processing and Refinery on Wednesday afternoon, June 25, 2025.
The students were enthusiastic as they toured the museum and observed its various collections. In addition to exploring tin mining equipment from different eras, they also gained insights into the history of Mentok.
Harwadi, a lecturer from Polman Babel, emphasized the importance of preserving the Mentok Tin Museum as a priceless historical heritage.
"This museum must be preserved, maintained, and even further developed. MTI Mentok can serve as both a regional promotional tool and an educational resource for students to learn more deeply about the history of Bangka Belitung," he said.
He also stressed that preserving the museum shouldn't rest solely on PT Timah's shoulders but should also involve full support from local governments.
"MTI Mentok is the oldest and most comprehensive museum for learning about the history of Bangka Island, especially in relation to tin mining. It must not be allowed to disappear. The local government should take part in ensuring its continuity," he added.
The visit to MTI Mentok left a lasting impression on the students. Aidil, one of the students, felt that MTI Mentok presented rich and thorough historical information.
"From my point of view, MTI Mentok is very detailed and comprehensive. The explanations about the history of Mentok and the origins of tin were clearly and thoroughly presented by the museum staff," he said.
Similarly, Meida, a student in the Design Engineering Program at Polman Babel, shared that she gained valuable new knowledge through the visit.
"This museum is really great. We can learn a lot about the history of Mentok, including its mining and cultural heritage. Especially for those of us who have never been here before, this was a truly meaningful experience," Meida said.
