The Ombilin coal mine in Sawahlunto, West Sumatra, is one of the oldest coal mines in Southeast Asia. It was established in the late 19th century by the Dutch colonial government.
The Ombilin mine plays a significant role in Indonesia's mining history. With its high-quality coal, Ombilin became a major coal production center that supported industrial activities worldwide at the time.
The city of Sawahlunto itself grew and developed alongside the development of the Ombilin coal mine. Infrastructure such as railways, worker housing, healthcare, and educational facilities were built to support the mine's operations and the lives of the surrounding community.
The Ombilin mine not only serves as a silent witness to Indonesia's colonial history but also as a symbol of mining technology advancement during its time. This mine illustrates how natural resources can transform a region's face, both economically and socially.
In 2019, the Ombilin Coal Mine in Sawahlunto was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site due to its outstanding universal value in terms of exchanging information and technology and its mining architecture, representing an important stage in human history.
Today, the Ombilin Coal Mine features a mining museum that can be explored to directly observe the remnants of history and gain a deeper understanding of the lives of the miners in the past.
Source : Kompas.com
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