Prabowo Oversees Seizure of Six Illegal Smelters Worth $18b in Bangka Belitung

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BANGKA BELITUNG, Investortrust.id — President Prabowo Subianto has witnessed the seizure of six illegal smelters in Bangka Belitung, in a major crackdown on unlicensed mining operations inside PT Timah’s concession area. The move, carried out on Monday, Oct 6, underscores the government’s commitment to enforcing the law without exception.

“This morning I came to Bangka to witness the handover of state-confiscated assets from private companies that violated the law,” Prabowo said. “These are illegal mining operations in PT Timah’s area. Those involved have been punished, and law enforcement authorities—the prosecutors—have seized six smelters.”

The President said the illegal facilities were also found to contain large quantities of rare earth minerals and tin ingots, which hold immense economic value. 

“At the smelter sites, we saw piles of rare earth and tin ingots. The total value of the confiscated materials from six smelters is estimated at six to seven trillion rupiah. But the rare earth, specifically monazite, could be worth much more,” he explained.

Prabowo noted that the scale of loss to the state from illegal mining in the area was enormous, potentially reaching hundreds of trillions of rupiah.

“One ton of monazite is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars—around $200,000 per ton—and we found tens of thousands of tons, close to 40,000 tons,” he said.

Based on Prabowo’s estimate, the rare earth element alone could account for about Rp 128 trillion (around $7.7 billion) in losses to the state. The overall losses from the six companies involved were believed to reach Rp 300 trillion (approximately $18 billion).

“We can imagine the damage. From these six companies alone, total losses to the state have reached Rp 300 trillion. We are stopping it now,” Prabowo stressed.

The President commended law enforcement agencies for their swift coordination and decisive action in securing the state’s assets.

“I thank all the officers—the Commander of the Armed Forces, the Navy, Bakamla, Customs, and the Attorney General’s Office—for acting quickly to secure these assets. Going forward, hundreds of trillions of rupiah can be saved for our people,” he said.

Prabowo reaffirmed his government’s zero-tolerance stance toward any violations of the law in the natural resources sector, signaling a broader clampdown on illegal practices.

“This is proof that the government is serious. We are determined to eradicate smuggling, illegal mining, and all forms of lawbreaking. We will uphold the law, and we will not spare anyone,” he declared.