Tin post-mining land reclamation and the level of regional development in Bangka Regency

Abstract

Tin mining industry in Bangka Regency contributes positively to the national income, and increase in Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP), labour availability, and economic value. The tin mining also poses negative impacts on the environment. Post-mined reclamation is expected to increase regional economic level and stimulate economic growth so that after the closure of mining activities there is no inequality in the community socio-economic aspect. The aims of the research are: (1) to assess tin post-mined land reclamation techniques for plant growth, (2) to assess the types of reclamation plants suitable to grow and have an economic benefit to the community, (3) to determine priority of the reclamation plant types suitable to grow based on the stakeholders perceptions, (4) to plan an arrangement of plant types and land reclamation techniques in the tin post-mined area, and (5) to determine the level of the community income and regional development in villages with tin mining activities in Bangka Regency. The results show that the reclamation technique that can be implemented was by providing soil ameliorants (manure or compost, top soil and rock phosphate or dolomite) and fertilizers to the tailings, and then provide MAF inoculant or planting cover crops of the leguminoseae familiy and planted with native plants or plants which suitable to grow in the such a tin postmined land conditions. Implementation of the reclamation technique resulted in an increase in land suitability classes to be S3 (marginally suitable) for rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) and S2 (moderately suitable) for sengon (Paraserianthes falcataria) and acacia (Acacia auriculiformis). Based on the stakeholder perception, rubber is the priority plant, while plant which generate economic benefit is sengon. The community income of villages around the tin mining area increased in the period of 2003-2008. At the time of mining activities, hierarchy of some villages around the mine increased but then decreased after the closure of the tin mining activities.