Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc.’s (FNI) operating arm in Palawan, Ipilan Nickel Corporation (INC), expects to increase exports after reporting an early start to nickel ore shipments to China this year.
In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, FNI said the MV Maple Unity left the INC anchorage area in Brooke’s Point on Jan. 17, 2025, carrying 60,117 wet metric tons (WMT) of 1.40 percent nickel medium-grade ore.
With the current pace and favorable weather, INC expects to ship a total of 40 vessels in 2025, with a projected sales mix of 52 percent medium-grade nickel ore and 48 percent low-grade nickel ore.
“We are happy to report that INC’s operations are in full stride, and the increase in activity is part of our long-term plans. That is why we applied, as early as last year, for the amendment of our Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) to boost INC’s production level limit from 1.5 million WMT to three million WMT,” said FNI President Dante R. Bravo.
Once granted, the increased production levels will result in more employment opportunities, higher contributions to the Social Development Management Program (SDMP) fund, increased royalty shares for Indigenous Peoples in the host and impacted communities, and higher tax revenues for the government.
INC, which operates under a Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) with the government, holds the exclusive right to conduct mining operations in the Municipality of Brooke’s Point, Palawan, covering 2,835 hectares. Of this area, 260 hectares have been partially declared as a mining area.
INC secured its Certificate Precondition from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in 2024 and is renewing its business permit from the supportive local government.
INC continually strives to work with all relevant stakeholders to achieve sustainable development and maximize the benefits of responsible mining.