Revitalizing Philippine mines in a responsible manner

The Philippines is among the world’s most mineral-rich countries, with an estimated USD 1 trillion in untapped reserves of copper, gold, nickel, zinc, and silver. It is currently the second-largest nickel producer globally, behind Indonesia. Notably, this output is achieved using only around 2.5% of the country’s total land area, underscoring significant potential for responsible expansion while maintaining environmental and social safeguards.
The global demand for nickel is expected to accelerate, particularly following Indonesia’s nickel export ban. This positions the Philippines as a critical alternative supplier for key industries such as electric vehicles, battery manufacturing, and renewable energy storage. Its geographic proximity to China, the largest consumer of industrial metals, also further strengthens its competitiveness as a strategic export market.
With the lifting of the long-standing moratorium on exploration permits and the reversal of the open-pit mining ban, the Philippines is well-positioned to reinvigorate its mining sector, with an emphasis on sustainable and responsible mining practices. This shift creates strong demand for advanced technologies and specialized expertise across the full mining value chain from exploration and resource mapping to extraction, mineral processing, waste management, and site rehabilitation.

Introduce advanced mining technologies that minimize environmental impact, such as automated equipment, low-impact extraction methods, and energy-efficient processes.
Assist with environmental impact assessments (EIA) and social impact studies to help Philippine mining companies align with international environmental and social standards.
Implement technologies for metal recovery, waste recycling, and sustainable material sourcing to reduce environmental waste in mining operations.
Enhance supply chain sustainability by introducing traceability systems, transparent reporting, and sustainable procurement practices, supporting the Philippines as a leader in responsibly sourced minerals.

For more information contact Johan Lennefalk at Johan.Lennefalk@business-sweden.se.