By the 19th century, tin mines were already operating in Belinyu.
Edward Balfour recorded that the mines in Belinyu were established by a
Chinese from
Palembang, referred to as Demang Ko. In 1919, steam turbines were installed in Mantung (within Belinyu) to supply electrical power to
tin mining operations in Bangka. Following the independence of Indonesia, the island of Bangka was subdivided into five administrative regions (
kewedanan). Belinyu was made the seat of the North Bangka
kewedanan, and while the other four
kewedanan eventually became
regencies, Belinyu was absorbed into
Bangka Regency. ==Administration==