Philippines Expands Nickel Production With Increased Demand From China

The unprecedented level of demand for nickel ore from China has provided a significant market for nickel miners in the Philippines looking to expand their exports. They are also putting pressure on the government to create conditions for the development of the country's mining industry and to take the necessary measures to maximize the yield of nickel ore during a period of growing demand.

An unanticipated ban on the export of raw nickel from the world's largest nickel producer, Indonesia, has propelled the Philippines into a key supplier of nickel to the world, including China, the country that uses the largest amount of nickel pig iron for stainless steel products. The ban was introduced as the Indonesian government tries to follow the path of increasing the economic contribution from the mining sector aimed at increasing GDP by 1 percent, even with untapped mineral resources.

In 2013, according to the US Geological Survey, the Philippines became one of the largest nickel producers along with Indonesia, and the country is now increasing its nickel output with great speed and enthusiasm. Marcventures Holdings, the Philippines' mining company, announced that the company has received government approval to expand operations at its nickel mines. Mines and Geoscience Beauro is set to bring the mine into operation after receiving permission to extract nickel ore from a 4,799 hectare site in Mindanao Province, South Surigao.