Take a hike back in time

IPOH: Remnants of the former tin mining era in a cave in Gunung Lanno, Simpang Pulai, near here offer a glimpse into the past.

Within the 500m-long Gua Gatsch, there are some 260 cement structures that were once used to support tin ore-carrying pipelines from mines in the surrounding area.

Caving enthusiast Ching Boon Tat said the structures vary in size, with some partially submerged in water.

“I’ve spoken to some former tin miners and quarry operators and they reckon that these pipelines are the same ones that connect to Gopeng, which is more than 100 years old.

“They said that back then when miners could not afford to build a tin dredge, this was a conventional yet dangerous way to transport tin ore, ” he said before leading a group of caving enthusiasts into the cave yesterday.

Easy does it: Kinta Valley Watch members hiking into the water passage of Gua Gatsch.

“Once expelled from the pipes, elephants would then carry the tin ore to factories, ” he said.

Ching said the structures are not something that are heard of every day.

“I strongly believe that this is a heritage worth preserving so people can appreciate how miners worked back then, ” he added.

The Star had reported that there were about 36 caves at Gunung Lanno, with amazing scenery and findings.

Ching also said they found a plastic cup and food cans there.

“We’ve found one plastic cup, with the wordings ‘Made in Hong Kong’ and cans, with Chinese wordings that read ‘Eggplant Spanish Mackerels’, which we believe were not from here, ” he said.

Remarkable view: The Star had reported that there were about 36 caves at Gunung Lanno, with amazing scenery and findings.

However, Ching said the hill and caves were under threat from rock blasting activities at quarry sites.

“I believe the limestone hills and these caves belong to everyone and deserve more protection, ” he added.

“The cave could be turned into a tourism site or for research.”

Another enthusiast, Pheong Ee Leong, said there needs to be a balance between development and heritage.

“Ipoh is a former mining town, but we can hardly find evidence of the activities, like the tin dredge in Tanjung Tualang, Batu Gajah, ” said the 40-year-old.

“We are not asking that quarry operations be stopped. But I feel that there should be more research done by the state on these findings.”

Perak Tourism, Arts and Culture Committee chairman Tan Kar Hing said he is aware of the structures in the cave and said that a taskforce, chaired by the State Secretary, has been set up to look into preserving Gunung Lanno.

“We will engage with NGOs and the relevant mining companies to see what we can do, ” he said.