Last tin dredge undergoing rehabilitation costing RM8.5m

BATU GAJAH: The remaining tin dredge (Tin Dredge Heritage) - the only one of its kind in the country, in Jalan Tanjung Tualang, Batu Gajah is undergoing rehabilitation work costing RM8.5 million in three phases and is expected to re-open to the public in two years.
The giant mining machine known as Tanjung Tualang Dredge No 5 (TT5) is floating on an excavation site which was closed to visitors in 2012, after leaks were spotted and affected its stability in the water.
Mentri Besar Incorporated (MB Inc) had been tasked to carry out the work in January 2015.
Its chief executive officer, Datuk Aminudin Hashim said under the first phase a public gallery will be built to house historical artefacts from the tin mining industry and dredge.
"The area surrounding the dredge is in the process of being beautified and a number of outdoor activities for visitors are expected to be opened in the second quarter of the year," he told theSun here today.
The next phase will involve extensive structural repairs on the dredge itself which includes sealing of the leaks, repairing and replacing damaged components.
The other work are reinforcing the main structure of the vessel, cleaning, painting and a comprehensive check of all the equipment and machinery on board, some of which can be turned into exhibits for a public gallery that is currently being constructed.
Aminudin said the last phase will focus on further developing the surrounding area into an attractive tourism destination, which may include a theme park, and supporting residential and commercial development.
On entrance fees, he said, "We are in the process of evaluating the fees and will be imposed once repair work is completed on the dredge and it is reopened to the public."
Previously, Osborne and Chappel Sdn Bhd which managed the dredge charged adults RM12 and children RM6.
The 4,500 tonne tin dredge operated for 44 years before it stopped operations in 1982.
In the hey days, these giant mechanical machines once reflected the prosperity as tin ore was the largest revenue earner for the state and country.
However, the dredges cease operations one after another when the price of the mineral dropped in the 80s.
This dredge was built for the Southern Malayan Tin Dredging Ltd, by F. W. Payne & Son in 1938 in England.