Gold Dreams in Sangihe: Building Prosperity Beyond Mining

On Sangihe Island, North Sulawesi, gold has long been part of the local story, yet the community still grapples with limited employment, unreliable electricity, and underdeveloped economic opportunities. PT Tambang Mas Sangihe (TMS) is now presenting a vision where mining serves as a catalyst for broader prosperity. Chief Executive Officer Terrence Filbert stated that the company plans to hire approximately 100 workers initially, prioritising local residents, with numbers expected to grow to nearly 1,000 at full operation. Many locals already possess mining experience from working on projects in Sulawesi and Papua. Beyond direct employment, TMS is exploring support for a community mining permit scheme to legalise artisanal mining with technical assistance and access to processing facilities. The company also sees untapped potential in Sangihe’s tourism, particularly its diving sites within the Coral Triangle, and aims to collaborate with tourism operators and airlines to improve connectivity. Additionally, TMS is considering developing a geothermal power plant near Mount Awu to provide cheaper, stable electricity, which could underpin growth in fisheries, processing industries, and cold-chain businesses. For the people of Sangihe, these plans remain on paper, with success measured not by the gold extracted but by the lasting improvements in employment, infrastructure, energy, tourism, local enterprise, and overall quality of life.