KUANTAN: Wong Kun Chan’s face lit up at the mention of ‘bijih timah’ (tin ore) as he rummaged through a huge metal box before bringing out several igneous rocks which allegedly contained silvery-white metallic layers of tin ore.
The 82-year-old, a former Pahang Consolidated Company Ltd (PCCL) miner, proudly showed some of the mining tools from the British era which he had salvaged and stored as part of his precious collection at his wooden house in Sungai Lembing here.
At a glance, one section of his house was similar to a museum as there were several tools from the tin-mining glory days kept on the floor while some items, which Wong described as rare collections, were hung on the wall.
When told that the government was planning to revive the tin mining industry back to its golden age, the father of six appeared a little surprised, saying it would all depend on luck to get to areas with huge tin deposits in Sungai Lembing.
“Sungai Lembing was famous because of the pit-mining method where caves or tunnels were dug but these days only the open-cast mining technique is considered safe.
“I believe no one is prepared to carry out pit mining or use dredging machines.
“The hilly landscape around Sungai Lembing makes it an ideal location for mining and there could still be untouched tin deposits, but it all depends on luck.
“However, these days, there are a lot of modern technologies to identify the suitable mining areas or quality of ore deposits. It has to be cost-effective,” he said yesterday.
Wong, who worked at PCCL between 1951 and 1983, said not all levels of mine tunnels contained tin deposits and, at times, despite digging for more than 10km, they did not find tin ore.
“The underground tunnels here were the largest, longest and deepest in the world measuring more than 300km in length and 700m in depth.
“Miners working underground were only allowed to work between 7am and 11am daily due to the humidity and demanding working environment.
“I joined PCCL when I was 14 years old and did various jobs, including as a storekeeper, guard and fitter, earning between RM1 and RM2 a day.
“It was only when I decided to become a miner and go into the tunnels that I earned more as we were paid depending on the amount of tin ore collected,” he said, adding that there were three underground mines that collectively made up the Sungai Lembing tin mine, namely the Myah mine, Taibeto mine and Gagak mine.
Wong said he quit his job in 1983, three years before the mine was closed but kept a huge collection of artifacts from his mining days as a memento.
“I bought some from others and some are my own collections. Look at that collection of hoes. You may think they serve the same purpose but each has its own use...some of the artifacts have been handed to the Sungai Lembing museum.
“I would be happy to see Sungai Lembing regain its former glory if the government’s plan to revive the industry goes ahead. I would say those memories of working with PCCL were the best in my life but sadly many of us are no longer around,” he said, adding that he kept some of the tin ore in a bottle to show his grandchildren.
Former Sungai Lembing village headman Abdul Rahman Mohamad said he remembered the glory days of PCCL which had once turned Sungai Lembing into the richest town in the country.
The 72-year-old, who now operates an eatery in front of Sungai Lembing museum, said PCCL staff were proud of the company as it took care of their welfare and some took home big salaries.
Rahman said the government’s plan to revive the tin mining industry was good news but it might not be that easy.
“There is a lot of work to be done, including identifying suitable areas and roads to transport the tin ore.
“I can’t imagine tin mining returning on a major scale in Sungai Lembing. If all goes well, it will certainly transform the entire town and livelihood of the people.”
Rahman, who worked with PCCL for 24 years until it ceased operations, said there were three-shifts — from 7am to 3pm, 3pm to 11pm and 11pm to 7am.
“I was in charge of the engine room and occasionally went down to the mines.
“Most of the younger generation here have left Sungai Lembing to seek jobs elsewhere and there is not much opportunity here.
“Maybe reviving the mining industry might allow youths to look for jobs here,” he said, adding that at the height of the tin mining industry, there were 15,000 workers at PCCL.
Former miner Allaudin Abdullah, 75, said the government must conduct detailed studies before executing their plan.
“I believe foreign workers will be hired due to the low labour cost. The price of tin ore price has to be stable and modern technologies used. I doubt we can return Sungai Lembing to its former glory as the pit mining introduced by the British was one of its kind here,” he said.