Sawahlunto is one of the many towns located in the area of Bukit Barisan West Sumatra, but with a history different from the other towns. Towns such as Bukittinggi, Batusangkar, Payakumbuh, Padang Panjang and Solok were shaped by the Minang community, while Sawahlunto was created by the mining business during the colonisation of the Dutch in 1888. Coal was discovered in the mid-19th century by Ir. de Greve. It was then suggested to the Dutch that coal should be mined in the area because coal was needed for industry and transportation. After the discovery of coal the area was frequently visited by geologists. Coal mining was pioneered in the area after the eventual "surrender" of the area to the Dutch in 1876.