Danantara accelerates reactivation of Ombilin coal mine, to employ around one thousand workers

Jakarta — BPI Danantara is pushing for the acceleration of the reactivation of the Ombilin coal mine in Sawahlunto, West Sumatra, with potential employment of approximately one thousand workers.

Chief Operating Officer (COO) of BPI Danantara, Dony Oskaria, stated in Jakarta on Wednesday that mine reactivation should not wait until next year and should be conducted as soon as possible this year.

“This year (2026) itself,” Dony said.

Meanwhile, PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) stated that the process of reopening the mine remains in the stage of securing important documents, including permits, environmental impact analysis (Amdal), and feasibility studies.

“We do have plans to reactivate the mine at Ombilin, and currently we are in the process of securing permits and Amdal as well as feasibility study (FS). These documents are very important; without them, activities cannot be carried out. Once the mine is opened, an ecosystem will form and it will have good economic impacts,” said PTBA’s Operational Director, Ilham Yacob.

The documents encompass technical aspects, cost analysis, operational procedures, labour readiness, legality, regulations, and environmental considerations.

According to officials, if the mine returns to operation, whether open-pit or underground mining, approximately one thousand workers can be absorbed.

The potential reserves of the open-pit mine at Ombilin are estimated at around 2 million tonnes, whilst underground mining reserves are estimated at around 100 million tonnes.

Plans for mine reactivation have surfaced several times previously, including foreign investor interest, but have not been realised.

Historically, the Ombilin coal deposit was discovered by Dutch researcher Willem Hendrik de Greve in 1867–1868 and subsequently documented further by RDM Verbeek. The mine was officially opened by the Dutch East Indies government on 28 December 1891, accompanied by development of important infrastructure such as railway networks, Emmahaven Port (Telukbayur), and other industrial areas that spurred industrialisation in West Sumatra.