Large-scale logging began in 1972 when the government issued permits to four companies, PT Cirebon Agung and PT Sumber Artha in North Siberut and PT Carya Pharmin and PT Wood Siberut Island Siberut Siberut in the South. Between 1972-1993, three of the four companies harvested a total 130.650 ha of forests with a total production of 746.155 m3 of timber.

Logging ceased between the years 1993-1999. The Minister of Forestry then issued a permit that stipulated changes in the function and status of forest areas. These changes paved the way for the second phase of commercial logging in Siberut. Several months after the change, 11 concessions for logging and oil palm plantations were proposed over an area of 274.500 ha (68.1% of the total area of the Siberut).

Since 2000, two timber companies have been granted logging concessions in Siberut, Cooperative PT Andalas Mandiri (KAM), with a concession area of 45.650 ha and PT Salaki Summa Sejahtera (SSS), with 49.000 ha of forest for harvesting. As a result of internal problems, community opposition and pressure from conservation activists, PT KAM only lasted for seven years (2001-2007).

Local governments has also had a major role in forest exploitation. Regional autonomy has allowed the Mentawai Islands district government to issue local regulation that gives permits for the timber companies. GPA (the Wood Utilization Permit) has been granted to local firms. These companies obtained capital from businessmen in major cities in Indonesia. Often these permits are granted without going through the central government consultations. GPA was stopped in 2005 after restrictions were put in place by central government and pressure from NGOs and the community.

Now, the only timber company still operating in Siberut is PT SSS, in northern Siberut. However, exploitation of non-timber forest products by the local community continues. Rattan and gaharu are the forest products which are most extracted.
Logging has an extremely negative effect on Siberut. Since the 1980s, degraded forest area has expanded. Degradation has not been matched by reforestation efforts and has resulted in socio-economic problems. Meanwhile, it is predicted that forest products such as gaharu will be extinct in the near future and rattan is in a status of overexploitation.