The Philippines’ output of nickel ore dropped by 27pc in the March quarter from the prior-year period, because of shutdowns at 18 nickel mines in the country.
The Philippines produced 28,006mt of nickel ore in the first quarter of 2020, down from 38,146mt from the prior-year period. Only 11 of 29 nickel mines in the country produced nickel ore during the quarter, according to the Philippines’ Mines and Geosciences Bureau. The remaining 18 stayed shut and reported zero production due to care and maintenance programs or due to unfavorable weather conditions.
Copper output fell by 17pc to 16,035mt in the first quarter, down from 19,350mt from the prior-year period due to absence of production by OceanaGold Philippines, which constitutes 22-27pc of the country’s total copper output. Toledo Copper Project of Carmen Copper Corporation’s in Cebu constituted 79pc of total copper production volume in the quarter.