Pulau Ubin Granite Quarry

This was the last granite quarry to be closed on the island.

Pulau ubin granite quarry. Pulau ubin granite quarry may reopen need to tap local sources as indonesia extends sand export ban by matthew phan singapore is looking at reopening a former granite quarry on pulau ubin as part of a wider plan to diversify its sources of building materials. Pulau ubin also simply known as ubin is an island situated in the north east of singapore to the west of pulau tekong the granite quarry used to be supported by a few thousand settlers on pulau ubin in the 1960s but only about 38 villagers remains as of 2012. Current status of pekan quarry. Those who remained on the island became fishermen or farmers or operated shops to cater to the growing number of visitors to the island.

Relax by the lake and keep an eye out for herons. Ubin is home to plenty of granite quarries which were excavated back in the 1970s to supply materials for roads on the mainland. Once a flatland these spots are now picturesque lakes. Pulau ubin of yesteryear.

Quarrying however ceased once the granite was mined to below sea level. This is one of the five quarries in pulau ubin but its proximity to the main village and its scenic view attracted tourists to stop and take pictures. Pulau ubin s name means granite island in malay because it is known for its granite quarries that operated until the 1960s and 1970s. There were once five quarries at pulau ubin the kekek quarry balai quarry ubin quarry pekan quarry and ketam quarry.

Located at the west of pulau ubin ketam quarry used to be called aik hwa quarry which was the last quarry closed in may 1999. The island s first quarrying might have started as early as the 19th century. It is one of the last rural areas to be found in singapore with an abundance of natural flora and fauna. In particular pekan quarry is the most accessible of the lot being only a 3 minute bike ride from the jetty.

From 1964 to 1999 aik hwa quarry was supplying about 30 to 40 of singapore s granite demand for construction works. After the closure of pekan quarry its two quarry pits were merged to form a scenic lake. I was mesmerized to see this beautiful and serene lake which was the old granite quarry. Granite from pekan quarry and other pulau ubin quarries was used for the construction of horsburgh and raffles lighthouses the causeway and fort canning and its reservoir.

The quarry was closed in may 1999 and many of the company s former employees retired and left the island. As of today this is a habitat of herons. It was reported that about 3 300 tons of granite were shipped from pulau ubin to mainland singapore in 1910. And a wide range of supporting cottage industries on ubin.