Talaud Islands: mining permits and environmental impact
There is no active mining permit. The register shows one area in preparation (a 1.5 ha quarry). About 95.2 % of the land is forest. In 2025, 103 ha of tree cover was lost, from all causes.
What changed?
Forest loss: last year against before
103 ha 2025
That is 33.9 % less than the average of 2020–2024 (156 ha per year).
This is forest loss from all causes: logging, farming, fire, storms and mining. It does not say that mining is the cause.
Source: Hansen/UMD Global Forest Change (v1.13) · 22 Oct 2026
Permits by status
A WIUP is an area set aside for permits, not yet a permit. A WPR is a zone for small-scale community mining. Only "active" counts as a permit in the key figures.
Source: ESDM MODI / Geoportal ESDM · 21 Oct 2026
The islands at a glance
Talaud has 10 islands in the north of North Sulawesi. The seat of the regency is Melonguane. Three islands are large: Karakelang, Salibabu and Kabaruan. Miangas also belongs to the regency, but here it is only context.
| Island | Land area (km²) | Forest in 2000 (% of the island) | Knowledge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karakelang | 801 | 97 % | Some data exist |
| Kabaruan | 93 | 95.3 % | Some data exist |
| Salibabu | 86 | 92.7 % | Some data exist |
| Marampit | 15 | 91 % | Not assessed |
| Karatung | 7.6 | 79.9 % | Not assessed |
| Mangupun | 2.1 | 88.9 % | Not assessed |
| Mallo | 1.6 | 73.3 % | Not assessed |
| Garat | 1.4 | 90.9 % | Not assessed |
| Kakorotan | 0.6 | 77.3 % | Not assessed |
| Intata | 0.3 | 78.3 % | Not assessed |
The number of people per island (BPS) is not loaded yet. We therefore show no number.
Source: ESMI desk study with island outlines and Hansen/UMD Global Forest Change; as of 17 Jul 2026.
Nature first
The big islands are almost all forest. That is why we measure first here, and look at mining only after that.
Tree cover and forest loss per island
| Island | Forest in 2000 | Loss 2001–2024 | % of the 2000 forest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karakelang | 97 % | 50.5 km² | 6.5 % |
| Kabaruan | 95.3 % | 4.8 km² | 5.4 % |
| Salibabu | 92.7 % | 2.4 km² | 3 % |
| Marampit | 91 % | 1.3 km² | 9.7 % |
| Karatung | 79.9 % | 0.09 km² | 1.5 % |
| Mangupun | 88.9 % | 0.07 km² | 4 % |
| Mallo | 73.3 % | 0.07 km² | 6.1 % |
| Garat | 90.9 % | 0.00 km² | 0.1 % |
| Kakorotan | 77.3 % | 0.00 km² | 0 % |
| Intata | 78.3 % | 0.00 km² | 0 % |
Source: Hansen/UMD Global Forest Change v1.12 (2001–2024), forest in 2000 with at least 30 % canopy, clipped to the island outlines; as of 17 Jul 2026.
Loss is gross tree-cover loss from all causes (felling, farming, storms, fire). It does not prove that mining is the cause and it is not net forest change. No loss does not mean nothing changed.
Protected area
The protected area "Karakelang Wildlife Reserve" (IUCN category IV) overlaps about 287 km² of Karakelang, which is 35.9 % of the island. Inside it, 16.4 km² of tree cover was lost between 2001 and 2024, 5.7 % of the 2000 forest. This is also loss from all causes. Protected does not mean all forest is intact.
Source: Protected Planet (WDPA) x Hansen v1.12; as of 17 Jul 2026.
At least 13 threatened animal species
Animal sightings (GBIF) give 9 species that are now rated threatened on the IUCN Red List. Field research on Talaud adds 4. Together that is at least 13 species. This is a lower limit, not a full count.
| Species | Status (IUCN) | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Talaud bear cuscus Ailurops melanotis | CR critically endangered | Field research |
| Talaud flying fox Acerodon humilis | EN endangered | Field research |
| Short-tailed Talaud melomys Melomys caurinus | EN endangered | Field research |
| Long-tailed Talaud melomys Melomys talaudium | EN endangered | Field research |
| Talaud rail Gymnocrex talaudensis | EN endangered | Sightings (GBIF) |
| Red-and-blue lory (Sampiri) Eos histrio | EN endangered | Sightings (GBIF) |
| Talaud bush-hen Amaurornis magnirostris | VU vulnerable | Sightings (GBIF) |
| Monitor lizard (Varanus lirungensis) | EN endangered | Sightings (GBIF) |
| Birdwing butterfly (Troides dohertyi) | VU vulnerable | Sightings (GBIF) |
| Great knot (migratory) Calidris tenuirostris | EN endangered | Sightings (GBIF) |
| Sharp-tailed sandpiper (migratory) Calidris acuminata | VU vulnerable | Sightings (GBIF) |
| Grey plover (migratory) Pluvialis squatarola | VU vulnerable | Sightings (GBIF) |
| Damselfly (family Chlorocyphidae) | EN endangered | Sightings (GBIF) |
Source: GBIF animal sightings and the IUCN Red List via GBIF; Riley (2002, 2003); Repi et al. (2020); as of 17 Jul 2026.
- GBIF shows where people looked, not where animals are. The 4,904 sightings give 262 species; the small islands are hardly surveyed. No sighting means "unknown", not "absent".
- Animal numbers from old studies (1999, 2016) are historical. We do not use them as a current count.
- The species list is not a full inventory of the animals on Talaud.
Impact
Forest loss per year
| Year | ha |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 339 |
| 2002 | 937 |
| 2003 | 320 |
| 2004 | 303 |
| 2005 | 358 |
| 2006 | 43 |
| 2007 | 361 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 19 |
| 2010 | 85 |
| 2011 | 431 |
| 2012 | 41 |
| 2013 | 29 |
| 2014 | 221 |
| 2015 | 222 |
| 2016 | 678 |
| 2017 | 177 |
| 2018 | 204 |
| 2019 | 284 |
| 2020 | 214 |
| 2021 | 137 |
| 2022 | 156 |
| 2023 | 128 |
| 2024 | 144 |
| 2025 | 103 |
Gross tree-cover loss from all causes, not net forest change. The chart shows no cause.
Source: Hansen/UMD Global Forest Change (v1.13), tree canopy of at least 30 % · 22 Oct 2026
Mapped mining area
0 ha
The maps we use show no mining area here.
Source: Cheng et al. 2026 + Maus et al. 2022, observed 2018–2021
Tree cover
95.2 %
Share of the land with tree canopy of at least 30 % in the year 2000.
Source: Hansen/UMD Global Forest Change (v1.13) · 22 Oct 2026
Protected area
35.9 %
Share of Karakelang inside the protected area "Karakelang Wildlife Reserve". A protected area does not mean all forest is intact.
Source: Protected Planet (WDPA) x Hansen v1.12 · 17 Jul 2026
Schools and health near mining
Not loaded yet
Schools and health points are not yet loaded for this area. We therefore show no number.
Above this regency the mean NO₂ column in Sept 2026 was 0.3 (10¹⁵ molecules per cm²). Difference from the surroundings: 0.0; no sign of a local increase. Quality D.
This is a satellite signal (Sentinel-5P), not a health measurement. NO₂ also comes from traffic and fires. Quality A is best, D is lowest.
Geology in brief
Talaud is an uplifted ridge of rock without active volcanoes, in the Molucca Sea collision zone.
- Mélange: a mix of blocks of peridotite, serpentinite, gabbro, basalt, schist and marble in clay.
- Ultramafic rock on Kabaruan: peridotite, serpentinite, gabbro and basalt.
- Pampini volcanic rocks: breccia, tuff, lava and diorite.
- Coral limestone and young deposits along the coast.
The official geological map of Talaud has a scale of 1:250.000.
The official map has no symbol for a metal ore and no separate section on mineral resources. The map helps to decide where to look, but it reports no ore.
Source: Peta Geologi Lembar Talaud, Sulawesi, Sukamto & Suwarna, 1986 (reprint 1995), Pusat Penelitian dan Pengembangan Geologi (Badan Geologi).
What official surveys found (PSDG 2012)
In 2012 the government geological survey (PSDG) took an inventory of minerals on Talaud. This is what it found:
- Manganese boulders with 27.6 to 61.6 % manganese, on Karakelang.
- In 44 river-sand samples, gold ranged from 25 to 49 ppb (Karakelang and Kabaruan blocks together). That is less than 0.05 gram per tonne.
- For comparison: a gold mine counts in grams per tonne; 1 gram per tonne is 1,000 ppb.
- Cinnabar, a mercury ore, was in 21 of the 43 pan concentrates (heavy minerals from river sand). The survey reads this as a sign of a possible hot-water system. That is an interpretation, not a proven deposit.
- Rock near old hand-dug pits on Salibabu and Kabaruan gave 1 to 6 ppb gold. The source calls this not economic.
- One rock sample in the Kabaruan block had 2,303 ppm copper and 8,736 ppm zinc. One sample is not a zone.
The researchers found almost all rock fresh, without alteration or mineralisation. The anomalies do not cluster. They therefore could not establish an anomaly zone.
ESMI does not show the anomaly map and the sample sites from the report.
Administrative setting
Mining history of Talaud Islands
A sourced timeline, as far back as the sources reach. Each point names its source and how certain it is. Where something is only reported or handed down, the limit is shown.
Before 1500
- c. 33,000–6,000 BCE
Oldest occupation: Leang Sarru
Leang Sarru, Salibabu
At the Leang Sarru rock shelter on Salibabu, archaeologists found thousands of chert stone tools and shell remains. Dates show that people reached the island about 35,000 years ago after a sea crossing of more than 100 km.
Limit: Use was probably not continuous; there are gaps. No metal.
Source: Rintaro Ono, Santoso Soegondho and Minoru Yoneda (2009) Changing marine exploitation during Late Pleistocene in northern Wallacea: shell remains from Leang Sarru rockshelter in Talaud Islands · Asian Perspectives 48(2): 318-341; first excavation Tanudirjo 1995 (Tanudirjo 2001, PhD ANU) · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- c. 4,000 BCE–1700
Leang Tuwo Mane'e: used for thousands of years
Leang Tuwo Mane'e, Arangka'a, Karakelang
The shelter near Arangka'a was first used around 4000 BC; pottery appears around 2500 BC. Bellwood noted that its floor now lies 6.5–7 m above the sea and concluded that the coast rose about 7 m in 6,000 years.
Limit: The uplift is Bellwood's interpretation from one site.
Source: Peter Bellwood (1976) Archaeological research in Minahasa and the Talaud Islands, northeastern Indonesia · Asian Perspectives 19(2) (1976, publ. 1978), pp. 240-288 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- c. 100 BCE–500 AD
First metal on Talaud
Leang Tuwo Mane'e, Karakelang · copper
Early Metal layers held a small copper or bronze bell, a plate and a ring. The bell resembles a Sa-Huynh piece from Vietnam, so Bellwood dated metal use on Talaud to about 2,000 years ago.
Limit: Metal objects prove trade and use, not local ore mining.
Source: Peter Bellwood (1976) Archaeological research in Minahasa and the Talaud Islands, northeastern Indonesia · Asian Perspectives 19(2) (1976, publ. 1978), pp. 240-288 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- c. 700 AD–1200
Copper cast on Salibabu
Salibabu and Karakelang · copper
In the Leang Buidane burial cave, 2 km northwest of Lirung, Bellwood found 11 copper or bronze objects, a copper socketed axe, 4 baked-clay casting moulds, 3 iron pieces and carnelian and agate beads from India. One mould is dated to about 960 years ago. A second cave on Karakelang holds the same kind of finds.
Limit: Bellwood: the copper items were clearly cast locally, but the metal may be imported scrap. No local copper or tin source is known.
Source: Peter Bellwood (1976) Archaeological research in Minahasa and the Talaud Islands, northeastern Indonesia · Asian Perspectives 19(2) (1976, publ. 1978), pp. 240-288 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- c. 1000–1600
Iron and goats on Kabaruan
Leang Buida, west coast of Kabaruan · iron
At the Leang Buida dwelling cave researchers found 14 iron fragments in the top layer, two trade-ceramic sherds and many fish and shell remains. Goat teeth and bones from a layer of about AD 1000 show that goats had reached Talaud by then.
Limit: The iron shows use, not local smelting or iron ore.
Source: Rintaro Ono, Sriwigati and Joko Siswanto (2018) Development of marine and terrestrial resource use in the Talaud Islands AD 1000-1800, northern Sulawesi region · In: O'Connor, Bulbeck & Meyer (eds), The Archaeology of Sulawesi, Terra Australis 48, ANU Press, pp. 243-266 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- c. 1200–1800
Chinese trade ceramics and late villages
Leang Arandangana (Kabaruan); Bukit Tiwing (Salibabu)
Leang Arandangana on Kabaruan has a layer of about AD 1200 with Rarangunusa pottery and two Chinese trade-ceramic sherds. Bukit Tiwing on Salibabu was occupied around AD 1500–1800. This points to trade links with the southern Philippines.
Limit: Arandangana is cited via Ono et al. (2018), quoting Tanudirjo (2001).
Source: Rintaro Ono, Sriwigati and Joko Siswanto (2018) Development of marine and terrestrial resource use in the Talaud Islands AD 1000-1800, northern Sulawesi region · In: O'Connor, Bulbeck & Meyer (eds), The Archaeology of Sulawesi, Terra Australis 48, ANU Press, pp. 243-266 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- c. 1365
Udamakatraya and old island names
Talaud Islands
The regency government writes that Talaud was part of Majapahit under the name Udamakatraya. It also gives old names: Maleon (Karakelang), Sinduane (Salibabu), Tamarongge (Kabaruan), Batunampato (Nanusa) and Tinonda (Miangas).
Limit: Tradition; the link between Udamakatraya (Nagarakertagama, 1365) and Talaud is unproven.
Source: Pemerintah Kabupaten Kepulauan Talaud Sejarah Kabupaten Kepulauan Talaud · consulted 24 Oct 2026
1500–1799: Portuguese, Spanish and VOC
- 1521
Pigafetta names 'Talaut'
Talaud Islands ('Talaut')
On the way to the Moluccas, Antonio Pigafetta of Magellan's fleet names the island 'Talaut' just before 6 November 1521. The editors take it as one of the Talaud Islands. He gives no description.
Limit: The gold Pigafetta mentions belongs to Sarangani and Mindanao, not Talaud.
Source: Antonio Pigafetta; ed. E.H. Blair & J.A. Robertson Primo viaggio intorno al mondo (in: The Philippine Islands 1493-1898, vol. 33) · Blair & Robertson vol. 33, text at note 459-460 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1526
Loaísa sights Miangas
Miangas (Palmas)
According to the Palmas award, reports of García Jofre de Loaísa's Spanish expedition indicate that it saw the island of Palmas (Miangas) in October 1526. Sixteenth-century maps show it as 'Ilha das Palmeiras'.
Limit: Huber ruled that sighting alone gives no sovereignty.
Source: Max Huber (sole arbitrator, Permanent Court of Arbitration) (1928) Island of Palmas case (Netherlands/U.S.A.), award of 4 April 1928 · UN Reports of International Arbitral Awards vol. II, pp. 844-845 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1544
Villalobos and the 'islands of Talao'
Talaud Islands ('islas de Talao')
In 1544 members of Ruy López de Villalobos's Spanish expedition found a letter sending them to the 'islands of Talao'. The editors note that Ortelius (1570) places them halfway between Mindanao and Halmahera, i.e. the Talaud Islands.
Limit: The account names the islands only as a destination; no description of land or resources.
Source: E.H. Blair & J.A. Robertson (eds), summarising Santistéban Expedition of Ruy Lopez de Villalobos (in: The Philippine Islands 1493-1898, vol. 2) · Blair & Robertson vol. 2, Santistéban summary and note 28 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- c. 1550–1700
Talaud in Ternate's sphere
Talaud ('Talaut or Tulour group')
Valentijn counts the 'Talaut or Tulour group' among the islands subject to the sultanate of Ternate. In practice, Sangihe rulers (Tabukan, Siau, Taruna, Tagulandang) ruled the Talaud villages.
Limit: A list of Ternatan claims, not proof of direct rule.
Source: E.H. Blair & J.A. Robertson (eds) The Philippine Islands 1493-1898, vol. 17 (note citing Valentijn, Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indiën, Moluccos pp. 3-4) · Valentijn 1724, Deel I, Beschryving der Moluccos, pp. 3-4 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1606–1666
Spanish Franciscans on 'Miangis'?
Nanusa / Miangas ('Islas Miangis', NE of Karakelang)
A letter from the Franciscan province in the Philippines claims that the 'Islas Miangis', northeast of Karakelang, were taken by Spain in 1606. Franciscans would have provided pastoral care there until 1666.
Limit: Huber treated these statements as conjecture, not on-the-spot facts. They probably concern the Nanusa Islands.
Source: Max Huber (sole arbitrator, Permanent Court of Arbitration) (1928) Island of Palmas case (Netherlands/U.S.A.), award of 4 April 1928 · UN Reports of International Arbitral Awards vol. II, pp. 849, 851 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- c. 1650–1663
Spanish description: poor land, tribute in roots
Talaud Islands ('Talaos')
A Jesuit list of 1656 counts about 11,000 'Talaos' with a Christian chief. Auditor Francisco de Montemayor y Mansilla describes four poor islands with coconuts, vegetables, some rice and roots used to pay tribute; they were vassals of Tabukan and Siau, with 800 baptised families.
Limit: No metal or mine is mentioned; this does not prove an absence of minerals.
Source: Francisco Colin; ed. E.H. Blair & J.A. Robertson (1663) Jesuit missions in 1656, from Colin's Labor evangélica (in: The Philippine Islands 1493-1898, vol. 28) · Blair & Robertson vol. 28, note 47 citing Pastells's Colin III p. 814 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1670–1677
Jesuit mission in southern Talaud
Kaburuang/Kabaruan and two southern Talaud princedoms
Two small princedoms on Talaud depended on the king of Siau; evangelisation there began only in the early 1670s. In 1675 a priest's house was added to the church on Kaburuang. The mission ended in 1677 when the Spanish garrison of Siau surrendered.
Limit: The Spanish fort of Santa Rosa was on Siau, not on Talaud.
Source: Karel Steenbrink (in Aritonang & Steenbrink, A History of Christianity in Indonesia) (2008) Catholic converts in the Moluccas, Minahasa and Sangihe-Talaud, 1512-1680 · pp. 64-67 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1670–1677
Jesuits at Lirung
Lirung (Salibabu) and 'Talaut'
Valentijn writes that the Jesuit Hieronymo de Crebueros, after Siau, lived 'on the island Talaut, or Lirong'. A Protestant church report by Montanus (1675) accuses Father Emanuel Espanjola of trying to impose Catholicism on Talaud by the sword.
Limit: The accusation comes from Protestant opponents; Espanjola denied it.
Source: François Valentijn (1724) Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indiën, Deel I (Beschryving der Moluccos) · Beschryving der Moluccos, section on the kingdom of Sjauw (Siau); Molukse kerkzaken (church report of Ds. Montanus, 1675) · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1677
VOC contracts with the Sangihe rulers
Talaud Islands (dependencies of Tabukan, Siau, Taruna)
Governor Robertus Padtbrugge concluded a contract with the ruler of Tabukan on 3 November 1677; further contracts followed in 1697, 1720, 1758 and 1828. The ruler held his land as a fief of the VOC, had to exclude Spaniards and tolerate only the Reformed faith. In this way the Talaud villages of these rulers came under the VOC.
Limit: The contracts were made on Sangihe; Talaud was covered indirectly through the rulers.
Source: Max Huber (sole arbitrator, Permanent Court of Arbitration) (1928) Island of Palmas case (Netherlands/U.S.A.), award of 4 April 1928 · UN Reports of International Arbitral Awards vol. II, pp. 855-856 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- c. 1680–1724
Valentijn describes the 'Talautse islands'
Karkelang (Karakelang), Kabroewang (Kabaruan), Lirong (Salibabu), Noessa (Nanusa)
Valentijn gives a map and description of four Talaud islands: Noessa, Karkelang, Lirong and Kabroewang. Karkelang had ten villages under Tabukan and Tagulandang, with mountains in the southeast. Kabroewang belonged to the king of Siau, had about 1,000 inhabitants and 300 fighting men, and was poor: only coconuts, oil and roots, with dried shark as food.
Limit: Valentijn names no metal or mine for Talaud; his data come from VOC papers, not his own visit.
Source: François Valentijn (1724) Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indiën, Deel I (Beschryving der Moluccos) · Beschryving der Moluccos, pp. 37-41 and map 'Het Eyland Sangir & De Talautse Eylanden' · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1686–1697
Dampier: 'gold and cloves' on Meangis
Miangas ('Meangis') · gold
William Dampier wrote that the 'Meangis' islands abounded with gold and cloves. He had this from Prince Jeoly, who claimed to be born there. Wichmann (1899) shows that Meangis is the island of Miangas.
Limit: Second-hand story. Wichmann calls Jeoly's information incorrect; no later report confirms gold on Miangas.
Source: A. Wichmann (1899) Die Insel Miangas · Petermanns Geographische Mitteilungen 45 (1899): 290-292, citing Dampier, A New Voyage (1697/1729) p. 350 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1689–1695
Protestant visits and hunger on Kabroewang
Towadebale and Manenare (Kabaruan); Lirung; Karkelang; Noenoessa
The minister Gellius Cammiga nearly ran aground on Talaud and in the village of Towadebale on Kabroewang lived for days on leaves because there was no food. The people of Lirong asked to become Christians if the king of Tabukan allowed it. A later visit counted only 30 Christians, 3 on Noenoessa and 10 on Karkelang.
Limit: The year of the later count is illegible in the OCR (probably 1695); the location of the 30 Christians is unclear.
Source: François Valentijn (1724) Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indiën, Deel I (Beschryving der Moluccos) · Molukse kerkzaken, p. 416 and following (visit of Ds. Cammiga; comet of December 1689) · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1700–1706
VOC ships at Miangas
Miangas ('Meangis', 'Mayages'); Nanusa; Kakorotan
In November–December 1700 the VOC ships De Bye, Larycque and De Peer saw an island whose people raised the VOC flag; the Larycque landed on 9–10 December. The islanders showed a (now lost) 1681 document from King Marcus Lalero of Tabukan. In 1701 Tabukan's rules also applied to 'Nanusa and Meamgy', and in 1706 the governor named Miangas together with Kakorotan.
Limit: Huber found it highly probable, but not certain, that the island of 1700 was Miangas.
Source: Max Huber (sole arbitrator, Permanent Court of Arbitration) (1928) Island of Palmas case (Netherlands/U.S.A.), award of 4 April 1928 · UN Reports of International Arbitral Awards vol. II, pp. 862-863 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1726–1857
Miangas moves from Tabukan to Taruna
Miangas ('Melangis') and Nanusa
In 1726 the governor of Ternate ruled on 80 'Talauers' from Miangas who had arrived at Taruna: were they subjects of Taruna or of Tabukan? An 1825 report still counts the 'far-distant island Melangis' under Tabukan; by December 1857 the Nanusa Islands and Melangis belong to Taruna.
Source: Max Huber (sole arbitrator, Permanent Court of Arbitration) (1928) Island of Palmas case (Netherlands/U.S.A.), award of 4 April 1928 · UN Reports of International Arbitral Awards vol. II, pp. 863-864 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1775
Thomas Forrest at Lirung harbour
Lirung ('Leron') harbour, Salibabu
British captain Thomas Forrest entered Leron (Lirung) harbour between Kabaruan and Salibabu under Dutch colours and visited two rajas on Salibabu and bought beans, sweet potatoes, rice and goats for cotton cloth. Salibabu was at war with Kabaruan; he saw a freshly severed head hanging from a tree. He called the islands well cultivated and rich in people and food.
Limit: Short visit; no remarks on metals or minerals.
Source: Thomas Forrest (1780) A Voyage to New Guinea and the Moluccas, from Balambangan, 1774-1776 · first published London 1779; Book II, entries of 21-24 April 1775 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
1800–1941: colonial period
- 1825
Government commissioner Van Delden mentions Melangies
Miangas ('Melangies'), NE of the Nanusa Islands
A.J. van Delden went to the Sangi and Talaud Islands in 1825 as government commissioner. He reported a well-populated island Melangies near the Nanusa group, under the kingdom of Tabukan.
Limit: Known only via Wichmann (1899), citing 'De Talautsche Eilanden' (Indisch Magazijn 1844); original not seen.
Source: A. Wichmann (1899) Die Insel Miangas · PGM 45: 291, note 4: Indisch Magazijn 1ste twaalftal nr. 7-9 (1844) p. 27 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1857
Resident's report on Talaud
Talaud Islands ('Talauer-eilanden'), Karakelang
The Resident of Manado wrote a detailed report on 12 August 1857 on the administration and villages (negorijen) of the Talaud Islands. It states that the rajas of Tabukan had conquered the Talaud Islands (Karakelang) long before the Dutch arrived.
Limit: Known via the Palmas award; the original report was not seen.
Source: Max Huber (sole arbitrator, Permanent Court of Arbitration) (1928) Island of Palmas case (Netherlands/U.S.A.), award of 4 April 1928 · UN RIAA vol. II pp. 849, 864; original: report Resident of Menado 12-08-1857, annex to Netherlands Memorandum (Nationaal Archief, Ministerie van Koloniën; inventory number not verified) · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1859–1888
Start of the Protestant mission
Salibabu, Karakelang, Kabaruan
Four German 'missionary-workmen' of Otto Gerhard Heldring's committee arrived at Lirung on 1 October 1859; the date is now Gospel Day in Talaud. A.C. van Essen worked on Salibabu, W. Richter and C.F.W. Tauffmann on Karakelang (Richter later at Beo) and P. Gunther on Kabaruan (Mangarang).
Limit: Secondary source (local historian, based on Brilman 1938); personal files are in Het Utrechts Archief.
Source: Adrianus Kojongian (Barta1) (2020) Sejarah Kekristenan di Kepulauan Talaud (Bagian 2) · Het Utrechts Archief, toegang 1102-1 (Raad voor de Zending: rechtsvoorgangers), personal files Van Essen (Liroeng 1857-1862) and Gunther (Mangarang); D. Brilman, De zending op de Sangi- en Talaud-eilanden (1938) · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1885
Hickson travels with the Resident
Salibabu, Karakelang, Nanusa
Naturalist Sydney Hickson sailed with the government steamer 'Ternate' in November 1885. At Lirung he saw a Chinese shop trading cloth, iron, tools and crockery for produce, and he met a local raja on Karakelang. On Karaton (Nanusa) he found old coral reef 8–9 feet above the level of coral growth and concluded that the Talaud Islands were slowly rising.
Limit: The year is inferred from the weekdays in the text (November 1885).
Source: Sydney J. Hickson (1889) A Naturalist in North Celebes: a narrative of travels in Minahassa, the Sangir and Talaut Islands · Chapter VII, pp. 152-172 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1885
Beo: epidemic and a 'wooden age'
Beo, Karakelang · iron
At Beo Hickson heard that of nearly 9,000 people in the area 3,000 had died within a few months; the raja too was dead. He visited the old missionary Richter. Hickson wrote that the Talaud people lived in a 'wooden age', with wooden spears and shields, because there was 'no iron and no copper'.
Limit: This concerns material culture, not geology; archaeology shows old metal use. A local historian gives 25 May 1885 as Richter's death date, which conflicts with Hickson.
Source: Sydney J. Hickson (1889) A Naturalist in North Celebes: a narrative of travels in Minahassa, the Sangir and Talaut Islands · Chapter VII, pp. 152-172 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1885–1889
Taruna contract and head tax
Nanusa Islands and Miangas
The 1885 contract with Taruna also covered the Nanusa Islands. The old tribute in mats, rice and other goods was replaced by a head tax of 1 guilder per man over 18. A table of 15 September 1889 lists 88 taxpayers for 'Menagasa' (Miangas) in the Nanusa djoegoeschap.
Source: Max Huber (sole arbitrator, Permanent Court of Arbitration) (1928) Island of Palmas case (Netherlands/U.S.A.), award of 4 April 1928 · UN Reports of International Arbitral Awards vol. II, pp. 856, 865 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- c. 1888–1900
Story of a buried golden chair
Damau, Kabaruan · gold
According to a story the Jesuit A.J. van Aernsbergen heard on Kabaruan in the 1920s, a Spanish monastery once stood near Damau where treasure was said to lie. Post-holder J.E. Leidelmeijer reportedly dug there but found no golden chair or ivory.
Limit: Tradition via a local historian; no evidence of a monastery, treasure or gold mining.
Source: Adrianus Kojongian (2018) Jelajah Sejarah Manado: Kepulauan Talaud Tempo Dulu (3) · van Aernsbergen (Jesuit, 1920s), cited without full reference · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1895–1896
First official visits and coats of arms
Miangas; Karaton (Karatung, Nanusa)
In November 1895 the Resident of Manado visited Miangas; the islanders said no ship or European had ever come before. On 2 November 1896 the head of Karaton received a Dutch coat of arms, and on 4 November 1896 the kapitein-laut of Miangas.
Source: Max Huber (sole arbitrator, Permanent Court of Arbitration) (1928) Island of Palmas case (Netherlands/U.S.A.), award of 4 April 1928 · UN Reports of International Arbitral Awards vol. II, pp. 851, 865 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1896
Post-holder at Lirung
Lirung, Salibabu
By royal authorisation the administration of the Talaud Islands received a post-holder based at Liroeng (Salibaboe), paid 200 guilders a month. J.E. Leidelmeijer had served as acting post-holder on the Talaud Islands since 1888.
Source: Bataviaasch Nieuwsblad (1896) Nederlandsch-Indië, Batavia 1 April 1896 · appointment Leidelmeyer: Nederlandsch-Indië, 9 Nov 1888, Delpher MMKB12:000033113:mpeg21:a00013 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1898
Lease on Kabaruan to win gold
Kaboeroean (Kabaruan) · gold
The commander of the Edi made a 75-year lease contract with the Siau rajaship over part of Kaboeroean, at 15 cents per bouw per year. He wanted to win gold there, presuming it existed because of 'gold-bearing stones'. The Sumatra-Courant repeated the report on 17 November 1898.
Limit: No assay, location, workings or production are known; the second paper repeats the same report.
Source: De Locomotief (correspondent) (1898) Van Menado · repeat: Sumatra-Courant 17-11-1898, Delpher ddd:011188519:mpeg21:a0004; ESMI copy historical-evidence/1898-delpher-kabaruan-gold-prospect-ocr.xml · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1898
Talaud men in the Totok gold mine
Talaud Islands (origin of labourers) · gold
The Colonial Report of 1899 says the Totok mining company, holding a gold concession in Minahasa, had about 225 workers, partly from the Talaud Islands. Talaud men were not used to mine work. At an exploration company, coolies from Java and Talaud deserted.
Limit: The mines were in Minahasa, not on Talaud. It says nothing about ore on Talaud itself.
Source: Minister van Koloniën (1899) Koloniaal verslag van 1899, Bijlage C · Kamerstuk TK 1899-1900 nr. 5.2, Bijlage C (pdf p. 201); also Indische Mijnwet, TK 1898-1899 nr. 15.11 p. 1 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1898
Warship Edi patrols
Talaud Islands; Miangas
During the Spanish–American War, HNLMS Edi was ordered on 13 May 1898 to patrol the Sangi and Talaud Islands and enforce neutrality. The ship visited Miangas in June and September 1898 and reported that the people paid their tax and the coat of arms was still in place.
Source: Max Huber (sole arbitrator, Permanent Court of Arbitration) (1928) Island of Palmas case (Netherlands/U.S.A.), award of 4 April 1928 · UN Reports of International Arbitral Awards vol. II, pp. 865-866 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1898–1899
Talaud people sought as mine labour
Talaud Islands (origin of labourers)
A July 1898 rule allowed people from the Sangi and Talaud Islands to be recruited as contract labourers for agriculture or mining in the Residency of Menado. In 1899 a gold-mining company at Kwandang–Sumalata wrote that it was trying to bring in coolies from the Sangi and Talaud Islands.
Limit: The mines were on the mainland (Gorontalo), not on Talaud; numbers of Talaud workers are unknown.
Source: Bataviaasch Nieuwsblad (1898) Nederlandsch-Indië, Batavia 13 Juli 1898 · Soerabaijasch Handelsblad 1-7-1899, Delpher ddd:011136057:mpeg21:a0054 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1899
Siboga expedition: the 'concession craze' reaches Kabaruan
Lirung (Salibabu); Kaboeroean (Kabaruan)
The Siboga lay off Beo and Lirung from 23 to 27 July 1899. On 27 July the highest peak of Salibabu was climbed for geological study. The newspaper letter says the urge to apply for concessions had 'already' reached Kaboeroean.
Limit: No name, mineral or area given. The geological result for Salibabu was not found in Weber (1902).
Source: Bataviaasch Nieuwsblad (1899) De Siboga-expeditie. Molukken, Augustus · Delpher ddd:011032818:mpeg21:a0084 (20-09-1899); Weber, Siboga-Expeditie I (1902) pp. 57-62 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1899–1902
New contracts: mining rights pass to the Government
Talaud Islands (via the Sangi rulers)
In November 1899 the five Sangi landschappen received new political contracts. The right to grant exploration permits and mining concessions passed from the rajas to the Government. The Talaud Islands then consisted only of dependencies of these landschappen; two villages on Karakelang, for example, belonged to Tagoelandang.
Limit: This is a legal rule, not a find. That the 1898 Kaboeroean lease lapsed because of it is an inference.
Source: Tweede Kamer (1902) Overeenkomsten met Inlandsche Vorsten in den Oost-Indischen Archipel (Nota van Toelichting) · Kamerstuk TK 1902-1903 nr. 174.21 (contract Tagoelandang 26-11-1899, art. 14) and 174.22 pp. 1-2 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1902
Mining applications for Karakelang rejected
Karakelang
The Bataviaasch Nieuwsblad reported that the applications of S.W.B. Hijde and G. de Kruijff van Dorssen for mining exploration on the island of Karakelang were rejected. It is the first mining application found that names Karakelang.
Limit: The notice names no mineral and no reason for the rejection.
Source: Bataviaasch Nieuwsblad (1902) Nederlandsch-Indië, Batavia 16 Augustus 1902 (Mijnbouw) · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1902
Sangi principalities opened to mining
Kabaruan, Nanusa and Miangas (via the Sangi rulers)
The Javasche Courant of 4 April 1902 announced that the government had no objection to private mining exploration in Siauw, Kandhar-Taroena, Nanganitoe, Taboekan and Tagoelandang (Sangi and Talaud Islands). These principalities had possessions on Talaud: Siau on Kabaruan, Kandhar-Taruna on Nanusa and Miangas.
Limit: The notice names no Talaud island; do not use it as proof that Talaud was opened or mined.
Source: Het Vaderland (citing Javasche Courant 4-4-1902) (1902) Mijnbouw · Jaarboek van het Mijnwezen in Nederlandsch Oost-Indië 1901/1902 (ESMI copy historical-evidence/1901-mining-yearbook-page-2.jpg) · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1903
Exploration licence for three areas on Karakelang
Karakelang (afdeeling Sangi- en Talauer-eilanden)
J. Bosman's applications to carry out mining exploration on three areas on the island of Karakelang were granted. This is the first granted exploration licence found on Talaud.
Limit: Mineral, location and outcome are unknown; see Jaarboek van het Mijnwezen and Javasche Courant 1903.
Source: Bataviaasch Nieuwsblad (1903) Nederlandsch-Indië, Batavia 31 Maart 1903 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1904–1936
Tidal wave and earthquake
Talaud Islands
In October 1904 a telegram reported that a tidal wave had caused great damage on the Talaut Islands; a steamer was sent. In the earthquakes of 1 April 1936, 127 houses collapsed on Talaud and seven people were injured.
Limit: Short press reports; places on the islands are not named.
Source: Arnhemsche Courant (1904) Koloniën (Batavia, 25 October) · 1936: Nieuwe Apeldoornsche Courant 20-4-1936, Delpher MMCODA01:000158037:mpeg21:a0096 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1906
General Wood on Miangas
Miangas (Palmas)
General Leonard Wood, governor of the Moro Province, visited Miangas on 21 January 1906 and was surprised to see the Dutch flag on the beach. This visit started the dispute between the United States and the Netherlands.
Source: Max Huber (sole arbitrator, Permanent Court of Arbitration) (1928) Island of Palmas case (Netherlands/U.S.A.), award of 4 April 1928 · UN Reports of International Arbitral Awards vol. II, pp. 836, 857 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1912
Sangi rulers cede Talaud
Mengarang, Kaboeroean and Todoeale (Kabaruan); djogoegoeschappen on the Talaud and Nanusa Islands
In 1912 the self-governments on the Sangi Islands gave up their rights to the djogoegoe districts on the Talaud and Nanusa Islands. On 6 May 1912 at Ulu, Siau declared that it ceded Mengarang, Kaboeroean and Todoeale to the Government.
Limit: A 1933 newspaper still calls Kaboeroean a djogoegoe district of Siau; this seems outdated but is unchecked.
Source: Tweede Kamer (1914) Overeenkomsten met inlandsche zelfbestuurders in Nederlandsch-Indië · Kamerstuk TK 1914-1915 nr. 411.1 (6°) and 411.9-12 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1912
'No important minerals known'
Talaud Islands
A survey article said little was known about the geology of the Sangi and Talaud Islands; apart from sulphur and a kind of pipe clay (used as whitewash), no important minerals were known. Talaud had 18,992 inhabitants; a few Europeans held licences to sell timber on Talaud.
Limit: The mineral statement covers both groups together; sulphur comes from Sangihe's volcanoes.
Source: Tijdschrift voor economische geographie (anonymous) (1912) De Sangi- en Talaud-eilanden · Tijdschrift voor economische geographie 1912, issue pp. ~20-23 (Delpher) · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1913
Fever epidemic on Talaud
Karakelang, Kaboeroean, Salibaboe
In the Talaud Islands subdivision fever cases fell from 2,472 to about 1,200 in one month, and deaths from 166 to 39. Most cases were on Salibaboe; on Karakelang and Kaboeroean the disease declined, possibly thanks to quinine and rain.
Limit: The report also confirms that Kaboeroean is present-day Kabaruan (part of Talaud).
Source: Bataviaasch Nieuwsblad (1913) Nederlandsch-Indië, Batavia 18 Augustus · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1914–1920
Bataafsche Petroleum Maatschappij seeks exploration on Karakelang
Karakelang
The Resident of Manado announced on 20 December 1920 that the Bataafsche Petroleum Maatschappij (BPM) had applied on 17 January 1914 for mining exploration on Karakelang. A newspaper used it as an example of slow bureaucracy.
Limit: BPM was an oil company, but the notice does not name the mineral; the outcome is unknown.
Source: Deli Courant (1921) Grapjes en snapjes · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1921–1928
Roothaan: first geological map of Talaud
Talaud and Nanusa Islands
BPM geologist H.Ph. Roothaan did fieldwork in 1921 and published a 'Geological and petrographic sketch of the Talaud and Nanusa Islands' with a 1:200,000 map in the Jaarboek van het Mijnwezen. He describes a core mainly of gabbro and peridotite, with a thin cover of radiolarian chert, breccia, sandstone and marl.
Limit: Content known from Van Gorsel's summary; the original (Verhandelingen II, pp. 174-220) was not seen.
Source: J.T. van Gorsel Bibliography of the Geology of Indonesia and Surrounding Areas, VI. North Moluccas (entry Roothaan 1928) · Roothaan, H.Ph. (1928) Jaarboek van het Mijnwezen in Ned.-Indië 54 (1925), Verhandelingen II, pp. 174-220; announced Koloniaal Weekblad 5-7-1928 (Delpher MMUBL13:279186027) · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1925–1939
Talaud rocks classified chemically
Talaud Islands
A review in Geologie & Mijnbouw (1939) says Roothaan studied the rocks of Talaud. In his view they belong to the 'Pacific' series, with a weak 'Mediterranean' tendency.
Limit: Petrological classification, not an ore find. Roothaan's own text has not been seen.
Source: Geologisch-Mijnbouwkundig Genootschap (1939) Geologie & Mijnbouw 1 (1939) nr. 3 · Delpher MMSHCL02:017135003, pdf pp. 5-6 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1926
Lam: a serpentine mountain and poor soil
Karakelang, Salibabu, Nanusa
Botanist H.J. Lam studied the flora of Karakelang, Salibabu and the Nanusa Islands. He wrote that a mountain on Karakelang is made of serpentine and so has a very different flora; elsewhere deep-seated rock shows only in river beds. The soil was poor: copra was almost the only export, locusts did much damage and Talaud had about 20,000 inhabitants.
Limit: Botanical report; no ore investigation.
Source: H.J. Lam (in Bataviaasch Nieuwsblad) (1926) Vegetatie der Talaud-eilanden · expedition reports: Bataviaasch Nieuwsblad 30-8-1926 (ddd:011036511:mpeg21:a0155) and 3-9-1926 (ddd:010278173:mpeg21:a0125); locusts: S. Leefmans lecture, NRC 14-12-1928 (ddd:010030018:mpeg21:a0185) · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1927
Talaud as its own landschap and subdivision
Beo and Lirung; onderafdeeling Talaud-eilanden
The 1927 Government Almanac lists the subdivision Talaud-eilanden, with a local head of the landschap. There was a native court at Beo for the Talaud landschap. The mission had posts at Lirung (Salibabu) and on Karakelang.
Limit: Administrative list; no mining. The almanac OCR is messy.
Source: Landsdrukkerij (1927) Regerings-almanak voor Nederlandsch-Indië 1927 · Delpher MMKB26:000910001, pdf pp. 176, 393, 444, 503 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1928
Palmas award: Miangas is Dutch
Miangas (Palmas)
Arbitrator Max Huber of the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled on 4 April 1928 that the Island of Palmas (Miangas) formed wholly part of Netherlands territory. The decisive factor was continuous and peaceful display of authority through the Sangihe rulers, not Spanish discovery.
Source: Max Huber (sole arbitrator, Permanent Court of Arbitration) (1928) Island of Palmas case (Netherlands/U.S.A.), award of 4 April 1928 · UN Reports of International Arbitral Awards vol. II, pp. 829-871 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1929–1938
Snellius expedition: young uplifted coral
near Mahammale, Talaud
Geologist Ph.H. Kuenen of the Snellius expedition collected corals from uplifted marine marl near Mahammale. Umbgrove (1938) found 15 species, all still living, so the layer is young (Pleistocene to Holocene).
Limit: The island of Mahammale is not named in the summary.
Source: J.H.F. Umbgrove (1938) Corals from an elevated marl of Talaud (East Indies) · Zoologische Mededelingen 20: 263-274 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
1942–1998: war, independence and the New Order
- 1942–1945
Japanese occupation
Talaud Islands; Beo bay (Karakelang)
Japan occupied the Talaud Islands from early 1942 until its surrender in 1945. A Dutch journalist wrote in 1954 that Japan stationed a garrison of about 3,000 men on Talaud and used Beo bay as a naval base. A 1946 newspaper reported that during the occupation the Japanese had beheaded the rajas of the Sangi and Talaud Islands.
Limit: Press reports without archival proof; troop numbers and executions must be checked in Japanese and NEFIS records.
Source: De Nieuwsgier (1954) Beo · Trouw 18-2-1946 (Delpher ABCDDD:010936629:mpeg21:a0053); Pacific Wrecks, Talaud Island Group (https://pacificwrecks.com/location/indonesia_talaud.html) · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1944
Planned US landing on Talaud cancelled
Talaud Islands
On 23 July 1944 General MacArthur planned a landing on the Talaud Islands for 15 October 1944, to build airfields between Morotai and Mindanao. On 15 September 1944 the operation was cancelled; Leyte was brought forward to 20 October and Talaud was only attacked from the air and sea.
Source: W.F. Craven & J.L. Cate (eds) (1953) The Army Air Forces in World War II, vol. V, chapter 10 · also M. Hamlin Cannon, Leyte: The Return to the Philippines (1954), ch. 3, https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-P-Return/USA-P-Return-3.html · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1944
Bombing of Beo
Beo, Karakelang
On 20 August 1944 US B-25s attacked the Beo area to cover low-level photography; only two Japanese fighters appeared. Later in 1944 a carrier group struck the Talaud Islands. According to a journalist in 1954, almost no house in Beo was left standing, only part of the church.
Limit: The destruction of Beo comes from a 1954 newspaper article.
Source: W.F. Craven & J.L. Cate (eds) (1953) The Army Air Forces in World War II, vol. V, chapter 10 · Beo destruction: De Nieuwsgier 2-8-1954, Delpher ddd:010478126:mpeg21:a0046 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1945–1947
Australian pilots executed
near Karakelang and Maroh; Beo
Three No. 80 Squadron RAAF pilots ditched at sea near Karakelang and Maroh on 13 January 1945, were captured and killed by Japanese troops in March 1945. An RAAF search team found their remains at Beo on 21 February 1947; they were buried at Ambon War Cemetery.
Limit: Secondary website; to be checked in Australian archives (NAA, AWM).
Source: Pacific Wrecks Talaud Island Group (Talaud Islands), North Sulawesi Province, Indonesia · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1954
President Sukarno at Beo
Beo, Karakelang
President Sukarno visited Talaud, 'the northernmost island of Indonesia'; the main town Beo, with about a thousand people, was decorated and choirs sang. Another journalist wrote that before the war Beo was a controleur's seat and after the bombing was rebuilt with wooden and bamboo houses.
Source: Algemeen Indisch Dagblad: de Preangerbode (P.I.-Aneta) (1954) President op eiland Talaud · De Nieuwsgier 2-8-1954, Delpher ddd:010478126:mpeg21:a0046 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1958
Permesta: government troops occupy Talaud
Talaud Islands
During the Permesta rebellion the Indonesian army reported that government troops had occupied the Sangi and Talaud groups on 21 May 1958 without resistance. The rebels thereby lost a link to the Philippines and a rich source of income: copra.
Limit: Army communiqué via news agencies; no detail per island.
Source: Winschoter Courant (1958) Opstandelingenleiders gearresteerd op Celebes en Borneo · De Volkskrant 28-5-1958, Delpher ABCDDD:010876740:mpeg21:a0169 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1959
Sangihe and Talaud regency
Talaud Islands (governed from Sangihe)
Law No. 29 of 1959 created the second-level region Kepulauan Sangihe dan Talaud, governed from Tahuna on Sangihe. Talaud remained administratively joined to Sangihe until 2002.
Source: Republik Indonesia (1959) UU No. 29 Tahun 1959 tentang Pembentukan Daerah Tingkat II di Sulawesi · LN 1959 No. 74, TLN No. 1822, Pasal 2(1) · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1976–1995
Modern geological mapping
Karakelang, Salibabu, Kabaruan, Nanusa
Indonesian and American geologists (Sukamto, Suwarna, Moore and others) described Talaud as a non-volcanic outer arc of mélange and ophiolite (serpentinite, gabbro, basalt, chert). The Talaud block has risen more than 2,000 m since the Pliocene. The 1:250,000 Talaud map sheet appeared in 1986 and 1995.
Limit: Geological context, not an ore discovery.
Source: G.F. Moore, D. Kadarisman, C.A. Evans & J.W. Hawkins (1981) Geology of the Talaud Islands, Molucca Sea collision zone, northeast Indonesia · Journal of Structural Geology 3(4): 467-475; Sukamto & Suwarna, Peta Geologi Lembar Talaud 1:250.000 (P3G 1986, 2nd ed. 1995) · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 1997–2013
Gold Contract of Work on northern Karakelang
Karakelang (northern part) · gold
A 2012 district table lists a gold Contract of Work of PT Tambang Mas Sangihe over 40,080 ha in 'northern Karakelang', exploration stage, 1997–2013. The 1997 contract covered the then Sangihe Talaud regency; the present area lies only on Sangihe.
Limit: Secondary source (student report); boundaries and exploration data not seen.
Source: Y. Sahabat (2017) Potensi dan persebaran mineral non logam dan logam Kabupaten Talaud (table Dinas Kehutanan, Pertambangan dan Energi Kab. Kepulauan Talaud 2012) · SK 514.K/30/DJB/2010; PT TMS (2010) Laporan penciutan I wilayah kontrak karya · consulted 24 Oct 2026
Since 1999: decentralisation to today
- 2002
Talaud becomes its own regency
Kabupaten Kepulauan Talaud (Melonguane)
Law No. 8 of 2002 (10 April 2002) separated Talaud from Sangihe as Kabupaten Kepulauan Talaud, with seven districts. The regency was inaugurated on 2 July 2002; the capital is Melonguane.
Source: Republik Indonesia (2002) UU No. 8 Tahun 2002 tentang Pembentukan Kabupaten Kepulauan Talaud di Provinsi Sulawesi Utara · LN 2002 No. 21, TLN 4183 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 2008–2016
Scientific iron-sand studies
West Karakelang · iron sand
Studies by LIPI and the Indonesian marine geology institute found magnetite, rutile, zircon and olivine in beach sand, and magnetite-rich beach deposits on the west coast of Karakelang. Rivers supply part of it; uplift moves the sand to shallow banks.
Limit: At one beach the river contribution is very small; no economic resource established.
Source: M.A. Mustafa, D. Setiady & U. Kamiludin (2016) Keterdapatan pasirbesi di Pantai Beo dan sekitarnya · also Kurnio et al. 2015, DOI 10.32693/jgk.13.2.2015.262; Sudarsono 2008, Prosiding Geoteknologi LIPI (OpenAlex W2948088695) · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 2010–2011
Permits for iron sand and manganese
Melonguane area and Karakelang · iron sand
The same district table lists around 2010 an iron-sand IUP of 1,792 ha near Melonguane and a 3,750 ha manganese block on Karakelang. In November 2011 ANTARA, quoting a provincial official, reported a 'potential' of about 715,250 tonnes of iron sand in Talaud.
Limit: No coordinates, grades or resource class; unknown whether anything was ever mined.
Source: Y. Sahabat (2017) Potensi bahan galian pasir besi Kab. Talaud · ANTARA News Manado, 'Sulut Simpan Ratusan Juta Ton Pasir Besi', 22-11-2011 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 2012
Government mineral inventory (PSDG)
Karakelang, Kabaruan, Salibabu · gold
The Centre for Geological Resources found 25–49 ppb gold in 44 stream sediments, cinnabar in 21 of 43 pan concentrates, and manganese blocks with 27.60–61.64 % Mn on Karakelang. Rock at old artisanal gold pits on Salibabu and Kabaruan gave only 1–6 ppb gold, which PSDG calls 'not economic'.
Limit: The source is inconsistent on the island of the old pits (Salibabu or Kabaruan); the anomalies do not form a coherent zone.
Source: R.M. Faisal & I. Muksin (2012) Inventarisasi Mineral di Kabupaten Kepulauan Talaud Provinsi Sulawesi Utara · Prosiding Hasil Kegiatan PSDG 2012, Buku 2, pp. 163-173; full report Perpustakaan Badan Geologi PMB LS 2012-3 · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 2016
Mane'e and the e'ha sea closure
Kakorotan, Intata and Malo (Nanusa)
On Kakorotan and Intata the community catches fish together once a year using long lines of young palm leaves (mane'e). Before that comes an e'ha period in which nothing may be harvested at sea or on land; a 2016 study says one year.
Limit: Living tradition; age undocumented. Popular sources link its origin to a 1628 tsunami (unconfirmed).
Source: Merlin Laira (2016) Upacara Mane'e pada Masyarakat Kakorotan Kecamatan Nanusa Kabupaten Kepulauan Talaud · Jurnal Holistik IX(18), Universitas Sam Ratulangi · consulted 24 Oct 2026
- 2024
Only mining area: a 1.5 ha quarry
Beo Selatan district, Karakelang · andesite (quarry stone)
The ESDM register lists a 1.5 ha WIUP for 'large mountain-stone quarry' in the Beo Selatan district, with status 'pencadangan' from 19 August 2024. According to ESMI's 2026 review it is the only mining area in Talaud; there is no gold WPR and no metal permit.
Limit: A reservation, not proof of active quarrying.
Source: ESMI Mining Intelligence (2026) Talaud integrated mineral and environment intelligence, §12.2 (ESDM WIUP record) · docs/design/mining-intelligence/pre-analysis/talaud-gold-screening-2026-07-16/TALAUD-INTEGRATED-MINERAL-ENVIRONMENT-INTELLIGENCE.md; canonical mi_esdm_features · consulted 24 Oct 2026
Measure first: how ESMI works here
ESMI works with the Talaud government on a measurement programme. The principle is: measure first, decide later. This page shows no research places or coordinates.
- Record the baseline firstBefore anything is disturbed, we measure water, soil, forest and animals. That way you know later what has changed.
- Field XRF is only a first lookThe handheld scanner (XRF) shows roughly which elements are present. For gold it is not sensitive enough and it proves nothing.
- Confirm in an accredited laboratoryOnly when an accredited lab with quality control (QA/QC) gets the same result do we call a result reliable.
- Avoid protected nature and nestsWe stay out of protected areas and leave nests, roosts and critical habitat alone.
- Together with the governmentPermission from the government and the community comes before every step in the field.
- Restoration is part of the planWhere the ground is disturbed anyway, we restore at once: POCO (restoration with plants and microbes) on every disturbed spot, replanting and species recovery.
A signal is not proof. An ESMI measurement is not a find, not a resource and not a value.
Not yet studied
7 smaller islands, the Nanusa islands, have not been assessed yet.
- Marampit 15 km²
- Karatung 7.6 km²
- Mangupun 2.1 km²
- Mallo 1.6 km²
- Garat 1.4 km²
- Kakorotan 0.6 km²
- Intata 0.3 km²
For these islands we have no data. That does not mean they are clean, safe or poor in minerals. It only means: unknown. Without research we say nothing about chances or risk.
Sources and method
Every number on this page has a source and a date. All sources with their licences are listed below.
| What | Source | Date | Licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permits | ESDM MODI / Geoportal ESDM | 21 Oct 2026 | Open government data |
| Mining area | Cheng et al. 2026 + Maus et al. 2022 | 2018–2021 | CC BY 4.0 |
| Forest loss and tree cover | Hansen/UMD Global Forest Change (v1.13) | 22 Oct 2026 | CC BY 4.0 |
| Nitrogen dioxide | Copernicus Sentinel-5P TROPOMI NO2 | 20 Oct 2026 | Copernicus, free use |
| Boundaries | BPS / OCHA COD-AB 2020 | 2020 | CC BY 3.0 IGO |
| Species | GBIF animal records with the IUCN Red List via GBIF (17 July 2026); Riley (2002, 2003); Repi et al. (2020) | 17 Jul 2026 | CC0 / CC BY |
| Geological survey | Faisal & Muksin (2012), Inventarisasi Mineral di Kabupaten Kepulauan Talaud, PSDG Proceedings 2012, Badan Geologi (ESDM) | 2012 | Government publication |
| History | Each event in the timeline names its own source, with a link and the date we consulted it. | ||
How we read and use the numbers
- A signal is not proof: a satellite image, a measurement or a news report points a direction, it proves nothing.
- Mapped mining area is not illegality. It says nothing about whether a permit exists.
- Forest loss is gross tree-cover loss from all causes, not net forest change.
- What we do not have, we call "not loaded yet". We then show no zero.
- Boundaries are simplified and not survey-grade. Numbers are updated when the sources refresh.