Visit Malaysia's last surviving mining dredge in Tanjung Tualang
Did you know that crocodiles were once used as “security guards” at mining lakes in Perak? This was what we were told when we visited the Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No. 5 (TT5), one of the last tin dredges left standing today in the world.

There were a total of 123 dredges scattered throughout Malaya back in the day, and the only one that operated for so long is the TT5.

Our local guide, 24-year-old Saravanan Thamilvanan, said that the other tin mines and dredges were either dismantled, sold off or simply sank into the ground.

Floating on a mining pool in the quiet village of Tanjung Tualang in Batu Gajah, the TT5 has recently become quite the tourist haunt. From what Saravanan told us, many people are aware of its existence but only a few know of the history behind TT5, and he hopes to change this.

“I hope to share my knowledge on the TT5 and the country’s tin mining history with the public for as long as I can,” said Saravanan, who has been working as a guide for about a year now.

The 86-year-old TT5 is a few storeys high.

Tin mining was an important industry not just in Perak but in the whole of Malaya back in the day. Deemed as a valuable resource, tin – a versatile element – was highly sought after by both the British and local folks. Needless to say, tin mining had a huge economic benefit, due to its many uses.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, local folks had used a really old-school panning or dulang washing technique to collect tin residue from the earth. When the British started mining in Malaysia, they realised this method of extracting the resource was laborious and time-consuming, and could not cater to the huge demand back then.

This is why a few years later they introduced a new, more advanced way to mine the tin – via a tin dredge, often called the “monster of the tin mines”.

The TT5 was built in 1938 in England by a company called F.W. Payne & Sons; the giant monster was actually assembled in Perak itself. Saravanan said assembling the metal parts took 18 long months.

Also known as a “floating factory”, the dredge was upgraded in 1963, and continued to operate for the next four decades. In August 1982, TT5 was finally put to rest, after 44 years in service.

Later, in 1997, the Malaysian Mining Corporation or MMC, donated the TT5 to the Perak State Government.

This was a communication bell used to call the workers. — Photos: GISELE SOO/The Star

Glorious past

The gigantic machine is a remnant of Malaysia’s tin mining heritage, and is filled with a colourful history. The TT5 was actually relocated to today’s site in Tanjung Tualang after ceasing operations in 1982 – it was previously operating at a mine in Teja, Gopeng.

Keeping the dredge afloat today is a pontoon – spanning a length of 75m – placed right under the dredge. The 3m-deep float can be accessed through the 48 openings on the ground labelled “pontoons”, which also function as emergency exits.

Somewhere at the entrance, there is a rusty bell in the shape of a disc, hanging over a metal rod. Unlike the typical hollow, cup-shaped bell, on first glance, you may not be able to identify what it is.

“It was a ‘communication’ bell. The supervisor will strike it to announce lunch breaks, or an emergency, for instance,” Saravanan shared.

There are more than 100 dredge buckets lined on a looped chain track on the TT5.

On the dredge, if one looks up, they may witness the dredge buckets which were used to dig up the tin load from the underwater mine. There are more than 100 of these massive buckets lined on a looped chain track or belt.

Back in the day, the mine had over 70 workers, but only about 20 of them were allowed on the dredge during each shift to ensure everyone’s safety.

“The factory ran 24 hours a day, so the workers’ shifts were divided into three, with each overseen by a ‘kapala’ (supervisor),” our guide explained.

He said the people at work were strictly not allowed to leave the factory before their shift ended. This was to prevent them from stealing the tin.

“A tonne of tin ore was equivalent to US$35,000 back then,” Saravanan shared, adding that a security check will be conducted by the guard (human, not crocodile) on duty, upon leaving the premises.

According to him, there was a space where the miners could eat and rest, much like a cafeteria. This area can be seen from the ground floor. Seeing these old-fashioned tables and benches from the old days brought some nostalgic memories for the seniors in our small tour group.

A toilet out in the open!

We came across a “stall” which had nothing but a hole on the ground. The group was quick to figure out that it was an old-fashioned toilet. Saravanan said: “The waste goes directly back into the lake.”

At night, a unique security measure was implemented. To prevent trespassers or thieves from stealing the mined tin and other items, crocodiles were “employed” to guard the lake. “One of the most effective surveillance systems!” Saravanan quipped. Indeed, one would have to be pretty foolish to try and sneak into the dredge and risk being “dinner” for the carnivorous reptiles.

Saravanan said the tin ore concentrate will temporarily be stored in these tanks before being transported to Penang to be smelted.

Meanwhile, referring to the tin mining processes, Saravanan said there were several sections responsible for carrying out this operation. There was the digging and mooring, as well as the treatment plant section. Once the tin was collected, they will be filtered to remove sediments or deposits before being sent to the storage bins. The tin ore concentrate will then be shipped to Penang for smelting.

The TT5, located about 40 minutes away from Ipoh’s Old Town, was turned into a museum in 2015. There are experienced guides who will take visitors around the unique attraction, telling engaging stories of Perak’s tin-mining era.

Check out the wagon-turned-cafe after the tour.

Visitors can end the tour at the Can Tin, an old wagon-turned cafe just opposite the dredge. When the TT5 was still operational, the wagon was used to transport tin. It sits on an old track, making it a popular photo spot for tourists.
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Located in the quaint town of Batu Gajah, Perak is an old mining dredge that has been transformed into a museum.