The Philippines mining companies’ nickel ore production dipped 28pc in H1 (Jan-June) to 102,310mt from the same period last year, according to data released by Philippine Bureau of Minerals and Geology.
Nickel ore production in Dinagart Islands and Surigao is expected to rebound in coming months supported by suitable weather conditions required for mining, stated the government body.
The two largest nickel mining corporation in the Philippines expect no further operational disruptions in 2020. Both these companies’ nickel ore sales fell in H1 owing to pandemic related problems. The mining body pointed out that of the 10 mining operations in Dinagat Island, only Cagdianao Mining Corporation and Libjo Mining Corporation reported production.
The Philippines now has become the main nickel ore supplier to China after Indonesia banned nickel ore exports in the beginning of 2020. China’s nickel ore imports from the Philippines accounted for 3.07mn mt in July. Imports from the Philippines, however, fell 2pc from the prior year but rose 129pc from the previous month.
In H1, nickel prices rose slightly to $12,473/mt from $12,316/mt in H1 2019, stated Bureau of Minerals and Geology in their latest press release.