History of Bukit Besi Iron Mining
How did Bukit Besi get its name? Some said that the story began with the discovery of a few locals who went into the woods in searched of rattans. On their way, they stopped for a rest to enjoy the food that they brought with them. One of them saw a rather big piece of rock that was suitable for him to sit on. He was not able to lift up the rock for it was way too heavy. Others tried to lift up the same rock but in vain. So one of them suggested that the place be named as Bukit Besi or the Iron Hill and it remained until today.
This is how the mining history begins. The iron ore mining activities in Bukit Besi begins when a geologist from Japan, Kuhara came to Cemuak, Ulu Dungun in 1916. He found a massive area of iron ore in that area. Initially, iron ore was carried from Bukit Besi to Dendang Village by using a push cart. Later it was delivered to Dungun by boat. The Kuhara Mining Ltd Company was unofficially fully responsible for the iron ore mining activities since 1927. The company’s name was later changed to Nippon Mining Company (NMC).
The ‘Mining Lease’ was officially issued by the Terengganu Government to NMC on the 13 January 1929. The area is about 360 hectare large and it comprised of M.L.129, M.L. 130. M.L. 131 and M.L. 132 and the areas were fractions of M.L.75 an area granted b the Sultan of Terengganu to one of his royalties, Tengku Abu Bakar bin Tengku Abdul Jalil.
In 1930, the Dungun-Bukit Besi train route was completed until the Che’ Lijah station. The first ‘Stock Pile’ or the Ore Unloading Bay was in Che’ Lijah Village. The iron ores will then be placed into boats to be taken to Kuala Dungun.
In 1935 the number of population in Bukit Besi raised to 6,000 (including 3,000 workers). At that time the locals were earning lucrative incomes. Basic amenities such as water supplies, electricity and trains were provided at no cost. In 1936, a tunnel known as Tebuk Hill was completed. The journey through the tunnel was able to save time. Therefore the unloading bay at Che’Lijah was transferred to Nibong and finally to Sura.
The production of iron ore by NMC reached its peak from 1936-1940. It then started to fall down and finally ended in 1945 soon after Japan surrendered to Britain in the World War II. From 1946-1949 mining activities were at halt during the state of emergency and there were also no demand for iron ore. The British Government then sold the Bukit Besi mining assets to the Eastern Mining and Metal Company (EMMCO).
During the early of 1950s EMMCO embarked on its activities on a large scale due to high demand from companies in Japan. In order to gain profit in a short time, EMMCO doubled its iron ore production. Productions were carried out 24 hours a day except on Fridays. Modern machines were used to break up the iron ore gravels. The company was then able to accelerate their production and produced better qualities iron ore. Apart from that they were able to rake double profit.
The peak of their production was from 1960-1964 whereby the sum of production was more than 2,000,000 tons per year. On the 1 October 1970, EMMCO's Board of Director made a final decision to close down the mine. Even though the iron ores are still believed to be in abundance, there were a few factors that lead to the closing down of the mine. With the closing down of the mine which affected the lives and economic situation of the residents of Bukit Besi, most of them moved to other places in search of new job.
Maklumat dan kredit:www.telecentre.my/bukitbesi
This is how the mining history begins. The iron ore mining activities in Bukit Besi begins when a geologist from Japan, Kuhara came to Cemuak, Ulu Dungun in 1916. He found a massive area of iron ore in that area. Initially, iron ore was carried from Bukit Besi to Dendang Village by using a push cart. Later it was delivered to Dungun by boat. The Kuhara Mining Ltd Company was unofficially fully responsible for the iron ore mining activities since 1927. The company’s name was later changed to Nippon Mining Company (NMC).
The ‘Mining Lease’ was officially issued by the Terengganu Government to NMC on the 13 January 1929. The area is about 360 hectare large and it comprised of M.L.129, M.L. 130. M.L. 131 and M.L. 132 and the areas were fractions of M.L.75 an area granted b the Sultan of Terengganu to one of his royalties, Tengku Abu Bakar bin Tengku Abdul Jalil.
In 1930, the Dungun-Bukit Besi train route was completed until the Che’ Lijah station. The first ‘Stock Pile’ or the Ore Unloading Bay was in Che’ Lijah Village. The iron ores will then be placed into boats to be taken to Kuala Dungun.
In 1935 the number of population in Bukit Besi raised to 6,000 (including 3,000 workers). At that time the locals were earning lucrative incomes. Basic amenities such as water supplies, electricity and trains were provided at no cost. In 1936, a tunnel known as Tebuk Hill was completed. The journey through the tunnel was able to save time. Therefore the unloading bay at Che’Lijah was transferred to Nibong and finally to Sura.
The production of iron ore by NMC reached its peak from 1936-1940. It then started to fall down and finally ended in 1945 soon after Japan surrendered to Britain in the World War II. From 1946-1949 mining activities were at halt during the state of emergency and there were also no demand for iron ore. The British Government then sold the Bukit Besi mining assets to the Eastern Mining and Metal Company (EMMCO).
During the early of 1950s EMMCO embarked on its activities on a large scale due to high demand from companies in Japan. In order to gain profit in a short time, EMMCO doubled its iron ore production. Productions were carried out 24 hours a day except on Fridays. Modern machines were used to break up the iron ore gravels. The company was then able to accelerate their production and produced better qualities iron ore. Apart from that they were able to rake double profit.
The peak of their production was from 1960-1964 whereby the sum of production was more than 2,000,000 tons per year. On the 1 October 1970, EMMCO's Board of Director made a final decision to close down the mine. Even though the iron ores are still believed to be in abundance, there were a few factors that lead to the closing down of the mine. With the closing down of the mine which affected the lives and economic situation of the residents of Bukit Besi, most of them moved to other places in search of new job.
Maklumat dan kredit:www.telecentre.my/bukitbesi