For much of its history, Perak sat atop a rich treasure trove of minerals, among which tin was the most important and enriching during colonial times.

As such, the British Empire treated the state of Perak as a principal asset, with tonnes of tin being extracted for decades.

It was during this time that the Kinta Valley became the scene of extensive mining operations and many towns like Kampar and Gopeng sprang to life.

Fast forward to 2022 and the glory days of tin mining are over. However, there are some relics of that glorious past that have yet to be wiped away by the passage of time.

In the quiet town of Tanjung Tualang, a certain artefact still remains standing, its towering structure beckoning visitors to come and explore it.

The Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No. 5, also known as TT5, is indeed quite the fascinating sight, especially to the younger generation who have likely never seen anything quite like this before.

Weighing over 4,500 tonnes, the tin dredge is a giant of steel and iron, easily dwarfing the surrounding houses in the area.

During the heyday of the tin mining industry, TT5 was one of the dozens of tin dredges in Perak, churning out tonnes of tin ore on a daily basis.

Now though, the tin mining dredge is among the last of its kind in the country, with many of its kin having long been dismantled for scrap metal.

Thankfully, TT5 seems to have its future secured for now, as is evidenced by the long lines of tourists waiting outside its gates.

At the turn of the 21st century, TT5 was quite the sorry sight; at one point, it was at risk of sinking into its mining pond altogether.

Subsequent preservation works were extensive and in 2017, TT5 was opened to the public as a tourist attraction.

However, should you visit, don’t expect to waltz onto the tin dredge by yourself. The industrial nature of the site can be dangerous to the inexperienced, after all.

Instead, guided tour sessions are held every hour starting from 9.30am and ending at 4.30pm. Up to 25 people can join a tour session, with guides speaking in either Bahasa Malaysia, English or Mandarin as requested.

During FMT’s visit, Aizad Noor Azeli, TT5 operations executive, was on the scene to explain the history and function of the tin dredge.

According to him, Perak saw its first tin dredge arriving from Britain in 1913, with TT5, in particular, being built in 1938.

“During the heyday of the tin mining industry, there were about 120 dredges in Malaya, with 60% of them in Perak,” he said.

TT5 was a medium-sized dredge powered by a steam engine at first. It was later replaced by a diesel engine in 1963.

On a regular day, the tin dredge was operated by up to 70 workers, who were divided into three shifts.

“The majority of the workers were Chinese, but it was a rather multiracial mix with Malays, Punjabis, Indians and Europeans all working together,” said Aizad.

While the job was difficult and the hours long, Aizad said that working on TT5 had its fair share of privileges and prestige.

Workers were well-paid and the mining company which ran TT5 provided the workers’ families with education, medical coverage and transportation.

As one walks around TT5, one cannot help but feel impressed at how authentic the entire structure feels, with its riveted deck and imposing machinery. This is clearly one historical site that has been well taken care of.

While it is silent today, TT5 was quite the noisy beast when it was in operation. Apparently, the din from its activity could be heard well over 8km away.

It was not uncommon for TT5 to dredge up 60 tonnes of tin daily, which was then transported to Penang to be smelted and exported.

In addition to the information provided by guides, placards explaining the function of certain machinery are also plentiful.

It is through these placards that one can learn how and why TT5 finally shut down operations; tin prices collapsed in the 1980s, with TT5 being decommissioned in 1982.

Despite no longer in operation, it is heartening to know that TT5 still has a role to play. “At one point, 60% of Malaysian revenue was earned from the tin mining industry,” said Aizad.

TT5 is thus one way to remember Malaysia’s heritage and to provide the younger generation with an educational experience that books cannot.

“If not for its preservation, TT5 might be underwater right now and it would be a great loss of history for all Malaysians,” he said.

Besides visiting TT5, you can also pop into the TT5 Maze Park, home to Malaysia’s first heart-shaped maze. It is fun for the young, as well as the young at heart.

Tanjung Tualang is also famous for its freshwater prawns, so perhaps a trip to a local seafood restaurant would be ideal before heading home.

Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No. 5
9th km, Jalan Tanjung Tualang
31000 Batu Gajah
Perak Darul Ridzuan

Business hours: 9.00am – 6.00pm

Contact: 014-904 3255