Geologists Will Be Involved In Identifying Colon Stable Site Findings In Padang Pariaman

The public looks closely at the piles of rocks suspected of being a column or columnar joint in Padang Pariaman Regency. (ANTARA)

The West Sumatra Provincial Government (West Sumatra) will involve geologists to ensure the discovery of rock piles that are strongly suspected of being a columnar rock or collumar coupler in Lubuk Alung Subdistrict, Padang Pariaman Regency. "Next week a team of experts will go to the field to determine these findings," said Head of the West Sumatra Province Mineral Resource Energy Service (ESDM) Herry Martinus quoted by ANTARA, Friday, October 20. This is at the same time to provide certainty to parties who have obtained mining business permits (IUP) at the location where the suspected columnar chaos was found. Based on a joint meeting with the West Sumatra Provincial Culture and Environment Agency, as well as the Association of Indonesian Geological Experts (IAGI) West Sumatra, the initial conclusion was that the pile of rocks was a columnar rock. However, the West Sumatra Provincial Government ensured that such an initial conclusion could not necessarily be used as a benchmark to determine the status of finding of the rock pile. Because, in order to determine geological or cultural sites, in-depth research involving experts in the field is needed. Herry ensured that currently mining activities in the area found the suspected kar column has been temporarily suspended. The policy was taken to anticipate and protect the findings from mining activities. "So, this research will later also provide certainty to the owner of the IUP. If the area is indicated to have geological heritage or cultural heritage, then this should not be carried out (ditmbang)," said the West Sumatra ESDM Service also directing miners for the time to temporarily shift their mining sites. Because, on the one hand the material (land/rock) taken is needed for the construction of the Padang-Sicin section toll road. Finally, to determine the findings including geological sites or cultural sites, the authority rests with the Padang Pariaman Regency Government. Meanwhile, the is issued by the Government of West Sumbar Province. Previously, Geological and Vulcanology Expertologist Ade Edward had suggested the government or relevant stakeholders to immediately protect the allegations of column densities or columnars found in Padang Pariaman Regency.

This is considering that the findings of the previous columnar chaos in Pesisir Selatan Regency were exhausted because it was mined for the needs of building materials. Therefore, so that the incident does not happen again, Ade advised the government to immediately take quick steps by protecting it. Moreover, the columnar columnar that was found in Padang Pariaman Regency is classified as unique and rare. This is because several columnarly thick bars are known to reach four meters.