Batu Arang in Selangor is one of the almost forgotten towns that once thrived because of the coal mining days of the British colonial era. COAL was first found in Batu Arang in the early 1900s and a study in 1910 revealed that mining was commercially viable. In June 1913, a British coal miner, John Archibald Russell, formed the Malayan Collieries Ltd to start mining operations in Batu Arang.
In the 1930s, only the Batu Arang mine was still operational and were operating with 5,000 miners working in three shifts because of the high demand of coal. The mining operations ended in 1960.
The developing town even had an airstrip, a railway line, Gurkha’s police base, police station and a brick factory. There were also houses for the miners, British officers and bungalows for the mine managers. However, the airstrip and railway line are only just memories as they are no longer around. However, the air wells of a few coal mines could be still seen around town. The air wells was dug to a depth of up to 330m and there are hundreds of tunnels underground stretching the entire town of Batu Arang.
The Geocache
This geocache brings you to the site of one of the mine shaft leading into the underground tunnel where the coal is mined. Please be careful if you plan to go into the tunnel as it is dark and wet. THe geocache location can be seen in this picture. Enjoy.
