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Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge (18 June 2011)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge is a relic from the tin-mining industry of Perak. It is located off State Route A15 between Batu Gajah and Tanjung Tualang.
The Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge carries the serial number T.T. No. 5. It was built in 1938 by W.F. Payne & Sons. During that time, there were at least forty tin dredges in operation in the Kinta Valley. T.T. No. 5 is believed to be the biggest of them all. Today, the landscape of the area is characterized by a series of mining pools. In Tanjung Tualang, many of these tools have been turned into freshwater prawn farms.
Approaching the Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge (18 June 2011)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
The T.T.No. 5 tin dredge was in operation until 1983, when falling tin prices forced the closure of the local mining industry. Today it sits within its own rectangular pool. Since February 1, 2008, the dredge reopened its doors, this type to paying visitors who come to catch a glimpse of a piece of history.
Getting there
Exit the North South Expressway at the Ipoh North Interchange (Exit 141). Head south on Federal Route 1 until junction with Ipoh-Lumut Expressway (E19). Take E19 until Pusing, then exit the expressway to Jalan Pusing (State Route A15) heading east. This road takes you through Batu Gajah, and then continues south towards Tanjung Tualang. You will see the tin dredge before you arrive at Tanjung Tualang. It is visible from the main road. There is an approach road with place to park your vehicle. View the direction on Google Map.
Front view of the Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge (18 June 2011)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Rear view of the Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge (18 June 2011)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Travelogue to the Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge
On 18 June, 2011, I visited the Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge in the company of Law Siak Hong, the President of the Perak Heritage Society. I was there as one of the participants in the Ipoh heritage tour organized by the Penang Heritage Trust. Mr Law took us into the tin dredge and provided a comprehensive explanation of how it worked.I was awed by the size of the dredge. I am glad that one of the biggest tin dredges in the country is still standing. It has the height of a four or five storey building. To see it as a museum relic, rather than a working facility, reminds me how far behind the country has left its tin-mining days. I was told that when it was in operations, it makes quite a cacophony of rattlings and ramblings.
The cavernous interior of the Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge (18 June 2011)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Looking up at the ceiling of the tin dredge (18 June 2011)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
At the time of our visit, the tin dredge has not yet undergone restoration. It was listing to one side, but according to Mr Law, the dredge will not sink further, as it was already sitting on the lake bed. Water entered it from one side, and I am concerned this will result in rapid deterioration and corrosion.
The Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge is in a poor state of repair. Or should I say, the government need to do something to save this precious relic. It provides a fascinating glimpse which, if lost, will be gone forever.
A massive funnel within the tin dredge (18 June 2011)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
The giant dredging buckets (18 June 2011)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
The vast interior of Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge (18 June 2011)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
A view of the outside from the inside (18 June 2011)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Gigantic roller coils of the tin dredge (18 June 2011)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
The man-size budgets (18 June 2011)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Bird's-eye view of the Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge interior (18 June 2011)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Flooded interior of the tin dredge (18 June 2011)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Safety First in the Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge (18 June 2011)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
The filtering jigs sieving the tailings (18 June 2011)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Tim at the Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge (18 June 2011)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
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