In terms of natural resources, they can’t separate tin from Belitung due to the numerous tin mines around the region.

The largest open tin mine in Southeast Asia is Kelapa Kampit, an island in East Belitung. This mine produced around 2,000 tons per year before the Second World War. During NV Billiton Maatschappij in 1906, the deep Kelapa Kampit mine was opened by a Chinese Kongsi (BM). The Kelapa Kampit deep mine manufactured 1,617 pikuls (a traditional measuring system worth approx. 62 kg per pikul) of tin over its first two years. The first shaft opened at a depth of 51 meters and found a new rich lead vein.

These findings inspire businesses to do more extensive research. In 1908, a second exploratory shaft 110 meters from the first was opened. Level I and level II were built at a depth of 26 meters from the experimental post, where rich tin veins with a grade of 2-4 percent were later discovered. In 1910, they reached a depth of 48 meters and found rich tin veins with many iron sulfide or pyrite minerals. Three years later, in 1913, the depth reached 91 meters, achieving levels IIIand IV. Unfortunately, there aren’t many rich tin veins at these two levels. The Kelapa Kampit deep mine development was stopped in 1915 because the exploitation cost was too high.

Another reason is that the washing technique to remove pyrite didn’t get satisfactory results. A unique washing process was found in 1920, and it was planned to apply it to the Kelapa Kampit deep mine immediately. However, owing to the decline in tin prices, the re-operation of the Kelapa Kampit deep mine had to be postponed. Beginning in 1924, NV Billiton Maatschappijbecame a joint venture known as NV. Gemeenschappelijke Maatschappij Billiton (GMB). In the transition, the Dutch government-controlled 5/8 of the shares, with the remainder held by NV.Billiton Maatschappij. The Kelapa Kampit deep mine was unintentionally flooded when the Japanese landed in Tanjungpandan in 1942. The firm did this as a kind of sabotage to impede the Japanese takeover of the Kelapa Kampit deep mine. However, this sabotage operation failed because Japan did not place a high value on tin mining in Belitung. It is adequate for Japan to get from mining products in China, Thailand, Malaya, and Bangka. In the case of Belitung, Japan is primarily concerned with attempts to meet food demands. The Japanese eventually blasted the Kelapa Kampit deep mine with explosives. The Kelapa Kampit deep mine was abandoned in a flooded state. Overall, from its inception until it was flooded and attacked by the Japanese, the Kelapa Kampit deep mine produced 2 million tons of lead rock and 24,000 tons often.

On May 29, the largest tin mine in Indonesia, PT. Broken Hill Property Indonesia was taken over by an Australian firm (BHPI). BHPI was given a contract to administer the deep mine at KelapaKampit and the right to conduct exploration across Belitung. BHPI is also entitled to mine primary tin in any additional direct deposits it discovers. BHPI began preparatory work immediately, emptying the mine, purposely submerged since 1942. The main shaft is pumped to a depth of 320 meters to dry. The Kelapa Kampit deep-mine is drying out, allowing excavations to continue up to levels 7 and 9, or 300 meters above sea level. While pumping continues, BHPI is conducting exploratory and feasibility studies in the Open Pit. According to BHPI’s results, there are fresh deposits within 500 meters of the existing reserves. The Kelapa Kampit deep mine has 292,000 tons of rock with a tin content of 1.79 percent. The restoration of the Kelapa Kampit deep mine took several years in total. Construction of modern ore dressing systems and other infrastructure as part of the rehabilitation efforts.

When you visit this Open Pit, you will not only be able to learn about the history of tin mining. There is also a beautiful view of a former mine lake with turquoise green water. The idea of the green lake from the OpenPit is very breathtaking. In addition to the Open Pit lake, there are-mining caverns, rock boulders, and a unique plant known as the Semar bag. Sengaran Beach, located near Kelapa Kampit, is another attractive attraction. Sengaran Beach, situated in Mayang Village, Kelapa Kampit District, East Belitung Regency, will make your holiday unforgettable due to Sengaran Beach’s status as a virgin beach with a natural and ecological vibe. Sengaran Beach’s naturalness and sustainability can be seen in its white and pure white sand as well as transparent seawater. In addition, as a green space, we may discover a deep and beautiful mangrove forest.