PANGKALPINANG -- PT TIMAH Tbk continues to encourage the management of tin resources that involves communities through a cooperative-based mining partnership scheme.
This program is a tangible manifestation of the company’s commitment to delivering the concept of Tin for the People, where local communities are directly, legally, and sustainably involved in mining activities within the Company’s Mining Business License (IUP) areas.
Cooperatives serve as a collective platform for communities to carry out mining operations in accordance with regulations, while also gaining more evenly distributed economic benefits.
One of the cooperatives promoted under this scheme is the Merah Putih Cooperative, which has become a strategic partner of PT TIMAH Tbk in the management of community mining. Through cooperatives, communities are not only participants but also part of a transparent and responsible mining governance system.
As a form of support, PT TIMAH Tbk provides various training programs and assistance to the Merah Putih Village and Subdistrict Cooperatives to help them meet regulatory requirements.
In addition, PT TIMAH Tbk has established partnership service offices to make it easier for cooperatives and communities to obtain information related to requirements, procedures, and partnership opportunities. The presence of these service offices is expected to improve access to information and facilitate cooperatives in complying with regulations.
The involvement of cooperatives as company partners has been ongoing for quite some time. Previously, there were already mining cooperatives partnering with the company, and this number continues to grow, with 10 cooperatives currently partnering with PT TIMAH Tbk.
Deputy President Director of PT Timah Tbk, Harry Budi Sidharta, stated that involving communities through cooperatives is an effort to accommodate small-scale miners so they can conduct mining activities legally.
“We have established service centers for cooperatives to collaborate with PT TIMAH Tbk so that communities can mine legally within PT TIMAH Tbk’s IUP areas,” Harry said during a meeting to discuss solutions to resolve tin governance issues in the Bangka Belitung Islands Province, held by the Provincial Government of the Bangka Belitung Islands in the Pasir Padi meeting room at the Babel Governor’s Office, Thursday (January 8, 2025).
“Currently, there are already ten cooperatives registered as partners of PT TIMAH Tbk, and dozens of other cooperatives are in the registration process to fulfill other administrative requirements,” he added.
He emphasized that PT TIMAH Tbk encourages community mining to be carried out collectively through cooperatives rather than individually, in order to facilitate supervision and ensure compliance with regulations. This is in line with the company’s ongoing efforts to improve governance.
In addition to partnering with Merah Putih Village Cooperatives, PT TIMAH Tbk also collaborates with mining cooperatives, fishermen’s cooperatives, and employee cooperatives.
Chairman of the Aneka Tambang Sejahtera Mining Cooperative, Darwis Netta, said that they have been a partner of PT TIMAH Tbk since around 2017 and the partnership continues to this day. Initially, the process did not run smoothly because the cooperative had to meet regulatory requirements, but they were ultimately able to fulfill them.
“The Aneka Tambang Sejahtera Mining Cooperative was established to protect miners and provide benefits to the community, especially in the Air Kantung area, Bangka. The main motivation for establishing the cooperative was to improve the chaotic condition of community mining, and the primary goal was to guide local miners so they could meet legal mining requirements and partner legally,” Darwis said some time ago.
Over time, their cooperative has continued to grow with a focus on mining service businesses. According to him, all requirements can be fulfilled as long as there is seriousness and focus, especially since PT TIMAH Tbk is currently opening opportunities for cooperatives to become business partners.
“We also did not go through the process instantly at the beginning, and everything can be fulfilled as long as we follow the rules and regulations. There may indeed be obstacles related to capital, PJO, and others. But if you are serious, this can be done. As a cooperative, our foundation is mutual cooperation and togetherness with members,” he said.
“The establishment of mining cooperatives must still comply with legal rules and requirements, even if they receive government support. Cooperatives that want to become partners of PT TIMAH Tbk should focus on completing administrative requirements, learning from experienced mining operators, and prioritizing management that adheres to safety and legal principles. Special expertise and certification are essential because mining is different from other business sectors,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Acting Head of the Cooperatives and MSMEs Office of PT TIMAH Tbk, Ari Primajaya, expressed appreciation for PT TIMAH Tbk’s commitment to involving cooperatives in the company’s business processes.
“Thank you to PT TIMAH Tbk for its commitment and concern in developing cooperatives in Bangka Belitung. This is the most substantive form of corporate social responsibility, because it does not merely give fish, but also provides the fishing rod and teaches how to fish,” Ari said, as quoted during the inauguration of PT TIMAH Tbk’s Cooperative Service Office some time ago. (*)
