Ipilan Nickel Corporation Commences First Shipment of Nickel Ore in 2025

Ipilan Nickel Corporation (INC), the operating arm in Palawan of diversified conglomerate Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc. (FNI), is off to a fast start in 2025 as it has begun shipment of nickel ore to China. MV Maple Unity left the INC anchorage area in Brooke’s Point last January 17, 2025, carrying 60,117 wet metric tons (WMT) of Ni 1.40 % medium-grade nickel ore. With the current pace and weather permitting, INC expects to be able to ship a total of 40 vessels in 2025 with a projected sales mix of 52% medium-grade nickel ore and 48% low-grade nickel ore.

“We are happy to report that INC’s operations are in full stride and the increase in activity is part of our long-term plans that is why we have applied, as early as last year, for the amendment of our Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) that will boost INC’s production level limit from 1.5 million WMT to 3 million WMT,” FNI President Dante R. Bravo said.

Once granted, the increase in production levels will result in more employment opportunities, higher contribution to the Social Development Management Program (SDMP) fund, increase in royalty shares for the Indigenous Peoples in the host and impact barangays, and higher tax revenues for the government.

INC, which operates a Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) with the government, holds the exclusive right to conduct mining operations in the Municipality of Brooke’s Point, Palawan covering 2,835 hectares, of which 260 hectares have been partially declared as a mining area. It secured its Certificate Precondition from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in 2024 and is in the process of renewing its business permit from the local government which has been very supportive of INC’s operations. INC continually strives to work together with all relevant stakeholders to achieve sustainable development and maximize the benefits of responsible mining.