The value of the country’s metallic mineral production increased by 14.8 percent in the first nine months of 2025, driven by higher gold revenues, steady nickel prices and a sharp rebound in iron ore output, preliminary government data showed.
Figures from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) placed the value of metallic mineral production at P219.742 billion from January to September 2025, up from P191.417 billion in the same period last year.
Gold remained the biggest contributor to total output value. Despite a 5.3-percent drop in production volume — from 21,651 kilograms in 2024 to 20,500 kilograms this year — gold’s value jumped 28.9 percent to P117.421 billion, following stronger international prices. Filminera Mining Corp. and Philippine Gold Processing & Refining Corp. recorded the highest output at 4,561 kilograms.
Silver output fell 10.3 percent to 35,096 kilograms, although its total value increased 4.2 percent to P2.132 billion.
Copper concentrate production likewise declined, dropping 7.8 percent from 200,806 dry metric tons (DMT) in 2024 to 185,135 DMT this year. Its value slipped 1 percent to P20.296 billion. Carmen Copper Corp. remained the top contributor, producing 102,056 DMT.
Mixed nickel-cobalt sulfide output posted a 3.7-percent growth to 55,844 DMT, but its value fell 6.4 percent, also reflecting price movements. Nickel direct shipping ore registered a slight 0.6-percent decline in tonnage, but stronger nickel prices lifted its total value by 9 percent to P52.482 billion, making it the second-largest contributor after gold.
Iron ore posted the strongest rebound, with output surging 109.5 percent to 100,683 DMT. Its value more than doubled — rising 100.2 percent to P328.954 million — as new production lines and shipments resumed.
At the bottom of the performance chart was scandium oxalate, which recorded the steepest contraction. Both its volume and value plunged 72.3 percent, indicating a sharp slowdown in mine activity. Chromite also weakened, with quantity down 30.1 percent to 72,599 DMT and value falling 35.7 percent.
The MGB said the January–September 2025 results remain preliminary and will be updated as additional reports from mining companies are submitted.
