Indonesia's army chief inspects seized illegal mine in Bangka BelitungJakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Army Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Richard Tampubolon on Tuesday inspected an illegal tin mining site in Bangka Belitung that was previously seized by the Forest Area Control Task Force (PKH). "This visit is part of the government’s commitment to combat illegal mining and strengthen the governance of natural resources," he said in a statement released Thursday by military headquarters.Among the facilities he visited was PT Trinindo Internusa, one of five tin smelters confiscated by the Attorney General's Office following a final and binding court ruling. The task force will oversee licensing, public outreach, and enforcement, with its core team comprising officials, police, and military personnel. "The goal is to clean up mining, plantations, and other resource sectors," Manaf said.Authorities reported 450 illegal mining sites in Aceh with about 1,000 excavators, while a legislative inquiry found miners paying up to Rp30 million monthly in “security fees,” totaling an estimated Rp360 billion (US$25 million) a year.The governor has given operators a two-week ultimatum to withdraw heavy equipment before enforcement begins. Translator: Walda M, Rahmad NasutionEditor: Anton SantosoCopyright © ANTARA 2025