It is located in a narrow valley along the Bukit Barisan mountains, among the Polan, Pari, and Mato hills, approximately 70 kilometres (43 mi) northeast of Padang.

Coal was discovered in the mid-19th century by Willem Hendrik de Greve, and mining began in the area in 1876.

[4] The mine is owned by PT Tambang Batubara Bukit Asam (PTBA) and operated by the China National Technology Import-Export Corporation (CNTIC).

The mining area continues to bring benefits to local residents through reforestation and conversion into a tourist destination.

A well maintenance pit with sufficient lighting and air supply attract local and foreign tourists mainly from Malaysia and Singapore.