The contestation and implications of tin mining on environmental degradation

Abstract

Background: Tin mining activities in Bangka Belitung have consistently increased each year, yet they often neglect or damage the environment—resulting in soil degradation, water pollution, ecosystem destruction with a consequent loss of biodiversity, and significant harm to marine ecosystems such as coral reefs. Methods: This qualitative study examines public attitudes toward tin mining, reviews the legal policies in effect, and assesses the environmental and social impacts through secondary data collected via literature reviews. Findings: The analysis reveals that the prevailing anthropocentric approach in both practice and legal frameworks has led to extensive environmental damage, exemplified by 1,435.64 hectares of unreclaimed land, and underscores that current mining operations prioritize human interests at the expense of environmental sustainability. Conclusion: The study concludes that a paradigm shift toward an ecocentric framework is urgently needed, one that emphasizes enhanced environmental education, increased community participation, and reformed legal policies to promote sustainable mining practices. Novelty/Originality of this article: This research presents a novel conceptual framework by integrating ecocentric principles into the evaluation of tin mining impacts, offering innovative policy recommendations for sustainable resource management in Bangka Belitung.