Philippines is second of the top exporters of nickel ore It has resulted in boom to Palawan and other sites of nickel mining. Its main application is stainless steel and batteries. EV has pushed up demand for nickel
PHL exports raw nickel (laterite - wet) and imports the processed ore to become stainless steel battery and the like.
Of late, Indonesia, one of the leading exporters of nickel, and which has banned export of raw nickel ore has been exporting processed nickel, resulting in more value added to Indonesia. It has partnered with Chinese businessmen for this venture.
Of late though, PHL has seen surge of exports of nickel to Indonesia - up to 500,000 metric tons (thats a lot)
Should we not go by way of Indonesian route - export processed nickel and gain more value added?
President BBM has expressed his direction towards more exports of processed nickel
Questions:
1. Isnt time for Philippines leave the extractive mineral stage of resource development? Isnt it time to
level up economy for more processed value adding activities?
2. Isnt it more favorable for Philippine nickel industry to impose higher tariff or ban exports? Is nickel classified and strategic mineral? In the face of EV alternative for greening program, it is. Are we
content with our present stastus, or should we wisen up?
