Tin is among the most essential and irreplaceable mineral components in the world. The high conductivity, specific gravity, low melting point, and relative abundance makes it a significant element of modern electronics. Indonesia contributes significantly to the global distribution of tin as the largest exporter and second-largest producer of the commodity in the world. A considerable amount of Indonesia’s tin has been discovered and produced in Bangka Belitung Islands as the leading region, or what is known as the “island of tin”. The Islands dominate the industry with 90% of its share to the total of Indonesia’s tin production.
Although increasingly relevant to the current waves of global energy transition agenda, the tin production in Indonesia has been dated long way back to the 18th century. The history of Indonesia's mining governance is a witness to the entanglement of formal and informal mechanisms that prevails up to the contemporary management of the industry. With the mounting global interests towards sustainability practices, this video attempts to understand the historical development and features of tin governance in Indonesia that are crucial to inform policymakers and the public on the opportunity and challenges in realising a more responsible and sustainable tin production.
