Ingenieur Vol 77 Jan-Mar 2019 ingenieur 2019 Jan-March | Page 77

Bucketline System – 115 buckets Dredging is a form of excavation carried out underwater or partial water where water is pumped to flood the potential tin deposit ground and dislodge the tin bearing soil. Dredging scoops up the soil and is more effective in extracting tin ore, when compared with other techniques. The tin dredge performed at a higher efficiency and productivity than other methods, and by 1931, British companies overtook the Chinese and controlled about 65% of the total tin production in Malaya. The first successful bucket tin dredge running in Malaya was introduced by the Malayan Tin Dredging Ltd., in January 1913. It was about 150 feet long and fitted with 10 cubic feet buckets. The dredge was steam powered and was capable of digging up to a depth of 50 feet. Although relatively small in size and dredging capacity, it was able to scoop up sufficient tin ore to enrich the company. It was reported that the company became prosperous and employed many workers who later established a town called Kampong MTD, named after the Malayan Tin Dredging company. Bucket weighing 2 ton 75