DMCI Mining Corp. is supporting the Philippine government's new critical minerals policy framework as the company advances mine rehabilitation in Palawan and expands exploration and production activities.
DMCI Mining president and chief operating officer Tulsi Das Reyes said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s issuance of Executive Order No. 122, establishing a National Policy Framework for the Critical Minerals Industry, could further support growth in the country's mining sector.
“That means they find the mining industry important. They find that we can add value to the country. They find that we can add value to other countries,” Reyes said in a recent briefing. He said the company welcomed the government's recognition of mining as an indicator of development.
Issued in August, EO 122 establishes a framework covering the critical minerals value chain, from exploration and utilization to value addition, mineral processing and manufacturing. It also seeks to attract investment by accelerating the privatization of government-owned mining assets, streamlining and digitizing permitting, and providing incentives for critical minerals processing and downstream industries.
The order also provides for a virtual one-stop shop for mining permits, which Reyes said could help address inefficiencies in the permitting process.
“Hopefully those things will streamline processes where they find maybe not gaps, but things that they can help streamline,” he said.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, through the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, is tasked with issuing the Philippine Critical Minerals List and leading exploration of prospective areas covering about 9 million hectares of mineralized land to identify and declare Critical Mineral Reservations and expand the country's critical minerals resource inventory.
Reyes said minerals including copper, gold, nickel and iron ore could be prominent under the emerging critical minerals framework, particularly given geopolitical considerations and demand from battery-related industries.
“Anything for the battery space, nickel will have to be on that list, and iron ore,” Reyes said, adding that the Philippines has significant resources that could support greater participation in the global minerals market.
He acknowledged, however, that the Philippines faces stiff competition from Indonesia, which has greater production volumes, higher grades and significantly larger operating scale.
“It's hard to compete with what Indonesia is doing right now,” Reyes said. “But it does not mean to say that the Philippines cannot play more in the space that we have.”
Berong rehabilitation reaches 100 hectares
DMCI's support for the government's policy comes as its Berong Nickel Corp. subsidiary continues rehabilitation of the Berong mine in Quezon, Palawan.
DMCI Mining has spent PHP168.3 million on final mine rehabilitation from June 2022 through August 2026. Of the 137 hectares previously used for mining within the mine's 288-hectare MPSA area, 100 hectares have now been rehabilitated.
BNC began implementing its six-year Final Mine Rehabilitation and Decommissioning Plan in 2022 and expects to complete the program next year, after which the rehabilitated area will be formally turned over to the government.
The company has planted 352,000 seedlings and produced more than 497,000 seedlings in its nurseries, exceeding its rehabilitation targets. At least another 150,000 trees are expected to be planted before the program ends.
Reyes said the company is ahead of schedule and is working closely with the local government and DENR on compliance.
“We want to make sure we do a fantastic job. This will be the first nickel mine site turned over to the government. So we want to excel,” he said.
Production remains on track
DMCI Mining is also approaching its 3 million wet metric ton production target for 2026, supported by shipments from its Palawan and Zambales operations.
Reyes said the company had shipped 1 million tons from Palawan in three months, while its Zambales operations had reached 1.6 million tons for the year as of early September.
DMCI Mining operates two mines in Santa Cruz, Zambales, through Zambales Diversified Metals Corp. and Zambales Chromite Mining Co. In Palawan, BNC also holds a 2,177.34-hectare MPSA for its Long Point mine in Aborlan, granting it exclusive rights to explore, develop and utilize mineral resources within the contract area.
Reyes said DMCI plans to continue exploring its Long Point assets and surrounding areas as it seeks to expand its mining operations.
