Batu Arang is a town located in the Gombak District of Selangor, Malaysia. It is situated approximately 50 km from the national capital, Kuala Lumpur.
The town was established by British authorities following the discovery of commercially viable coal reserves in the region in 1908. These deposits were primarily utilized to fuel a railway system. In 1915, a rail line was constructed between Batu Arang and Kuang to facilitate the transport of coal throughout the country.
Demand for coal from Batu Arang increased significantly during the First World War due to a reduction in imports. The local coal served various industries, including railway companies, power stations, tin mines, and dredges, as well as direct end customers.