This may indicate that small-scale mining operations are more viable there.
Whatever you do, remember that this area has a special reputation.
You need to focus on establishing good relationships with the local population from the start to ultimately achieve proper and smooth production.
Padang has a very large number of artisanal miners concentrated around the areas of Padang Aro, South Solok, Dharmasraya Sijunjung, and Sawuluntho.
Sawuluntho is less known for gold than for coal, but that is only due to a lack of better knowledge. The potential for placer mining is enormous.
In South Solok, there are sometimes over 900 excavators actively engaged in a single area. You need to rent them from local authorities to avoid getting into trouble with them.
There are many unwritten rules that do not comply with regulations issued by Jakarta. Let us know if you would like to learn more.
The area of placer gold mining in West Sumatra has been measured. There's plenty of gold there, but many factors must be considered before making a decision to mine there.
BACA JUGA:West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, Holds 2 Billion Tons of Gold and Copper
In South Solok Regency, there are several areas with potential gold mines.
These areas include the Batang Hari River, Pamong River, Kandi River, Sapek River, Palabihan River, Bangko River, and Simabu River.
According to data from the West Sumatra Mining and Energy Agency in 2013, the potential gold mine in South Solok can produce approximately 50 kg per day.
If properly managed for the welfare of the people, this gold mine will undoubtedly improve the economic standard of the surrounding population, as its value, if converted to rupiah, is quite substantial, reaching up to IDR 25 billion.
The potential gold mine in South Solok Regency has undoubtedly transformed the local economy. Previously, the majority were farmers and plantation owners, but now they have become gold miners.
Located in western West Sumatra, South Solok is close to the Great Sumatran Fault System.
This fault is indicated to be the source mechanism for the formation of gold mineralization in this area. Based on research conducted by Toreno, the mineralization type developing in South Solok is epithermal low-sulfidation.