The value of the Philippines’ metallic mineral production rose 41.4 percent to P202.18 billion in the first half of 2026 from P142.99 billion a year earlier, driven by higher production values across most major mineral commodities, government data showed.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources data showed that production value increased despite mixed movements in output, with gold, silver, nickel, chromite and copper contributing to the overall performance.
Gold remained a major contributor, with estimated production value increasing 42.4 percent to P114.50 billion from P80.43 billion in the first half of 2025. Gold output, however, declined 12.5 percent to 12,771 kilograms from 14,604 kilograms.
The increase in gold value came as several major operations posted higher estimated production values. The Masbate Gold Project, operated by Filminera Mining Corp. and Philippine Gold Processing & Refining Corp., recorded P28.72 billion, up 68.1 percent from P17.08 billion a year earlier.
Nickel drives growth
Nickel recorded one of the strongest gains in production value during the period, with direct-shipping ore output reaching 19.24 million dry metric tons, up 25.6 percent from 15.32 million DMT in the first half of 2025.
The estimated value of nickel direct-shipping ore increased 47.5 percent to P42.18 billion from P28.59 billion. Nickel content of the ore rose 17.2 percent to 202,983 tons from 173,125 tons.
Among individual operations, the Ipilan Nickel Project in Palawan posted a 202.4-percent increase in ore output to 828,227 DMT, while its production value more than tripled to P3.91 billion. Rio Tuba Nickel Mining's output rose 76.9 percent to 2.49 million DMT, with production value increasing 31.4 percent to P4.95 billion.
In Zambales, the Sta. Cruz mining operations also posted significant increases. Benguet Resources Management Corp.'s nickel ore production more than doubled to 446,863 DMT, while Eramen Minerals Inc. produced 745,856 DMT, up 79 percent from a year earlier.
Silver, copper and chromite
Silver production value rose 77.4 percent to P2.48 billion from P1.40 billion, even as output declined 22.8 percent to 18,607 kilograms.
The Masbate Gold Project recorded silver production of 3,186 kilograms, up 26.2 percent, while its estimated production value increased 206.5 percent to P465.77 million. Apex Mining Co. Inc.'s Maco operation also recorded a 141.1-percent increase in silver production value to P739.53 million.
Copper concentrate production was broadly stable at 120,586 DMT, compared with 120,389 DMT in the first half of 2025. Its estimated production value rose 1.4 percent to P13.85 billion.
Copper content of concentrate, however, fell 6.2 percent to 22,710 metric tons from 24,214 MT. Carmen Copper Corp.'s Lutopan mining area posted a sharp increase in concentrate production, while its Carmen mining area also increased output by 13.2 percent.
Chromite production increased 20.5 percent to 58,614 DMT, while its estimated value rose 44.1 percent to P871.14 million. The increase was led by the Taganito HPAL Project, which reported 39,299 DMT of chromite output, up 55.3 percent.
Iron ore was the notable major commodity to post declines. Production fell 47.5 percent to 40,109 DMT, while estimated production value dropped 46.8 percent to P132.30 million.
Nickel processing expands
Production of mixed nickel-cobalt sulfide reached 37,711 DMT, down 2.1 percent from 38,515 DMT, but its estimated value rose 55.2 percent to P27.96 billion.
The Taganito HPAL Project's mixed sulfide output increased 4.8 percent to 24,819 DMT, with production value rising 77.7 percent to P19.42 billion. Coral Bay Nickel Corp. recorded a 13.1-percent decline in output but a 20.5-percent increase in production value.
Scandium oxalate recorded the largest percentage increase among the commodities listed, with production surging 417 percent to 12,512 dry kilograms from 2,420 dry kilograms. Its estimated production value jumped 448.8 percent to P219.04 million. The entire reported production came from Taganito HPAL.
Overall, the first-half figures indicate that higher mineral prices and changes in the output mix significantly lifted the industry's production value, even where physical production declined. The four-page production report covers gold, silver, copper, chromite, iron ore, mixed nickel-cobalt sulfide, scandium oxalate and nickel direct-shipping ore.
