Philippines nickel sector to collaborate with China’s biggest battery group

MANILA, Philippines — The local nickel industry is partnering with China’s biggest professional battery association to hitch a ride on the booming e-vehicle industry in one of the world’s power economies.

The Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) recently inked a memorandum of understanding with China Industrial Association of Power Sources (CIAPS) for linkages and possible joint venture and investments among member companies.

China, being the world’s largest producer of electric vehicles, continues to look to the Philippine nickel mining industry as a strategic partner in the sustainable e-vehicle industry.

China is the world’s largest consumer of nickel, accounting for more than 50 percent of global consumption. About 90 percent of the country’s nickel ores are shipped to China.

PNIA chairman emeritus Clarence Pimentel said there remains to be a great opportunity for the nickel industry in the Philippines.

“Aside from the country’s wealth of natural nickel reserves, champions of nickel mining are encouraged by developments that are vital in driving business and investment growth around the world,” he said.

According to the International Nickel Study Group (INSG), the role of nickel in enabling a sustainable future presents opportunities for the Philippines.

The industry remains robust and productive in trying to meet the global nickel ore demand to deliver the much needed impetus in many sectors that drive industrialization and sustainability around the world.

Meanwhile, the MOU shall provide a platform for collaboration on the development of a nickel industry roadmap that would highlight linkages and opportunities for the power battery sector in the coming years.

Information sharing on policies, trading and investments for nickel ore that will impact the production of batteries for electric vehicles is also one of the main objectives of the MOU.

CIAPS has more than 360 members involved in the development, manufacture, sales, and marketing of batteries and battery-related materials.

The PNIA is composed of Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc., CTP Construction and Mining Corp., Citinickel Mines and Development Corp., Carascal Nickel Corp., DMCI Mining Corp., Marcventures Mining and Development Corp., and Agata Mining Ventures Inc.