Tin rush in Perak began from 1848 in Taiping. Perak became the wealthiest state in Malaya. Its capital Ipoh was fondly known to many as “The City of Millionaires”.

Panning (‘mendulang’ or ‘melampan’) was the earliest method to source for tin ore. In January 1913, Malayan Tin Dredging (MTD) introduced the first dredge in Batu Gajah. The cost to build one dredge then was nearly RM 40 million and with 123 dredges in 1940, the total foreign investment for dredging industry was about RM 4 billion.







Due to declined tin price, operations started to shut down and ‘floating factories’ were dismantled or sold off. Today, there is only one remaining tin dredge known as Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No. 5 or TT5. It was built in England by F.W. Payne & Sons in 1938, upgraded in 1963 and had continued its operation for 44 years until August 1982. In 1997, Malaysian Mining Corporation (MMC) donated TT5 to the Perak State Government.





Menteri Besar Incorporated Perak (MB Inc.) was mandated by the Perak State Government to conserve the last tin dredge in Malaysia in 2015. Located about 40-minute drive from Ipoh, TT5 is now fully open for visitors to experience TT5 Guided Dredge Tour, panning and self tour inside the gallery and the magnificent view of the landscape.

Entrance fees :
- Adult : RM10.00 (MyKad)
- University student : RM8.00 (MyKad)
- Child : RM5.00 (MyKad)
- Senior citizen (aged 60 and above) : RM5.00 (MyKad)





There are other interesting community-based programs and events at TT5 such as weekend community bazaar, traditional games, art and crafts, cooking classes, drone race, ATV fun ride, horse riding, blowpipes, camping, fishing, family picnic, and BBQ. Moreover, TT5 is also suitable for photography, filming venue, treasure hunt, teambuilding and corporate function.





Source: Tourism Perak Malaysia