Towns such as Bukittinggi, Batusangkar, Payakumbuh, Padang Panjang and Solok is shaped by the Minang community, while Sawahlunto, by the mining business during the colonisation of the Dutch in 1888.
Globally, since 1940 till end 70s the production of coals Ombilin declined, and returned only tens of thousands of tons per year.