That afternoon, thick smog covered the city of Sawahlunto, West Sumatra. It had not rained for more than a week. The scorching weather and heat reflected off the surface of the coal city.
Nevertheless, the smoke and hot weather did not dampen the enthusiasm of a dozen mining engineering students from Universitas Negeri Padang (UNP) to continue learning about the depths of the earth. They visited the Sawahluwung coal mine owned by PT Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk.
A student, Jamie, led his group of about 15 people, equipped with measuring tools such as tapes and geological compasses. They were divided into three groups, with two groups entering the mine while one group conducted data collection outside the mine.
Aerial photo of the deep mining pit area in Sawahluwung.
Officers operate a trolley-pulling machine during maintenance in the deep mining pit in Sawahluwung.
The entrance to the former Sawahluwung coal mine was located at an altitude of 214 meters above sea level. However, once inside, the elevation gradually declined to 57 meters, with the main tunnel maintained regularly for 1.5 kilometers.
The tunnel has been repurposed as Indonesia's first underground mining educational site. Its interior is maintained with modern facilities to simulate a real yet safe mining work ecosystem. The stability of the tunnel openings is also continuously preserved for educational and geotechnical research purposes.
The Ombilin Mine is one of the oldest coal mines in Southeast Asia, operating during the colonial era between 1891 and 1892. After being managed by PT Bukit Asam, the new deep Sawahluwung mine was opened in 1985 with the introduction of mechanization in mining technology and ceased production in 2016.
Officers walk alongside a trolley being pulled by a machine during maintenance in the deep mining pit in Sawahluwung.
Students discuss during data collection in gallery two, deep mining pit in Sawahluwung.
Although no longer in production, PT Bukit Asam has committed fully to supporting the preservation efforts of the Ombilin Sawahlunto Coal Mining Heritage (WTBOS), designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2019, partly by transforming it into an educational mine.
According to official data from the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, the total area of WTBOS includes a core zone of 268.18 hectares protected by a buffer zone of 7,356.92 hectares.
Inside the tunnel, remnants of historical coal mining infrastructure can be found within Seam A (mineral deposit layer) including three dead-end galleries: gallery one, two, and three. It is in these three galleries that the students conduct their data collection.
Officers prepare gallery 1 as a practical site for students using mining tools in the deep mining pit in Sawahluwung.
Students conduct data collection in gallery two, deep mining pit in Sawahluwung.
On the wall of gallery two, shiny coal was visible. The coal quality in Sawahlunto is known for its high calorific value, classified as bituminous coal. This coal quality is very good due to its high active carbon content, meeting the requirements for metallurgy and power generation.
The student group conducting data collection inside the underground mine was accompanied by a staff member from the Ombilin Mining Unit (UPO) Sawahlunto, Syamsul Hamidi. The first shift maintenance activities for the day had just concluded.
This area is a mining education site because it holds a unique appeal for students interested in the history of mining industry and technology of that era, while also providing insights into mining cultural heritage.
Students observe mining objects in gallery two, deep mining pit in Sawahluwung.
Officers show high-quality coal in the deep mining pit in Sawahluwung.
The supervisor responsible for the deep mine, Asmiliardi, stated that aside from research, mining students regularly conduct field lectures inside the mine. This aims to provide students with real experience, enabling them to integrate theories learned in classrooms with practical fieldwork.
The curriculum includes important topics such as drilling and underground mine support techniques, underground and open-pit mining surveys, mine ventilation, face mapping and geotechnical analysis, blasting, hydrogeology and mine drainage, to heavy equipment productivity.
The national demand for mining engineering students and graduates in Indonesia is currently at a very crucial and high level, especially driven by major downstream industrial agendas and energy transition.
Officers check the condition of gallery 1 in the deep mining pit in Sawahluwung.
Students use a geological compass while conducting data collection in gallery two, deep mining pit in Sawahluwung.
Photo and Text: Fitra Yogi
Students record data in gallery two, deep mining pit in Sawahluwung.
Officers clean mining materials in Sawahluwung.
Editor: Nyoman Budhiana
The caption is automatically translated by application. Click here for the Bahasa Indonesia version.
