Listed natural resources company Nickel Asia Corp. (NAC) has launched a company-wide artificial intelligence initiative aimed at equipping its workforce with digital tools as it expands its regional operations.
Called “Project APEX – AI & Productivity Excellence,” the initiative was launched alongside NAC’s 18th anniversary, with the initial phase focused on training executives and officers on the responsible use of AI and establishing a common framework for technology adoption across the organization.
The program is anchored on NAC’s “Nurturing AI Competency” philosophy and forms part of a broader digital transformation strategy that began last year with the creation of the company’s Technology Management and Transformation department.
NAC Vice President for Technology Management and Transformation Joselito G. Calpito said AI would change how employees perform tasks and workflows.
“AI will change tasks and workflows. Something you do today will be done differently, or faster, tomorrow,” Calpito said.
“This is not about replacing our people with technology. It is about giving our employees the right tools and training so they can work smarter, make better decisions, and focus on higher-value tasks.”
Calpito said starting the transformation at the leadership level would help ensure employees were guided responsibly through the transition.
Project APEX is intended to serve as a framework for reducing manual tasks, improving data connectivity among departments and increasing operational efficiency.
Following the executive training, NAC plans to roll out the program across the organization through a dedicated internal AI team, with support from the OneNAC Academy, legal and cybersecurity experts.
The company will also establish a network of “AI Ambassadors” in various departments to help employees adapt to new digital tools.
NAC President and CEO Martin Antonio G. Zamora said the company’s approach would prioritize employee development rather than headcount reduction.
The company said no personnel decisions related to the digital transformation would be made without first providing affected employees with training, skills updates and clear reassignment of workflows.
The leadership alignment sessions were completed earlier this month, with the next phase focusing on departmental AI ambassadors.
The final phase will extend the digital systems across the company, with NAC aiming to use AI to improve mining operations, strengthen risk management and enhance the tracking of environmental sustainability targets.
The initiative comes as NAC pursues a broader expansion strategy through 2030 covering responsible mining, power generation and opportunities in critical minerals across Southeast Asia.
NAC operates six mines in the Philippines and has investments in mineral processing, renewable and flexible power generation through NAC Energy Inc. and regional critical minerals opportunities through its Singapore-based subsidiary, NAC Global Investments Pte. Ltd.
The group employs more than 2,000 people and has an expanding regional footprint.
