DMCI Mining ramps up Palawan operations as Zambales mine nears depletion

DMCI Mining Corp. expects 2026 to become a “milestone year” for the company as the commercial operations of its Long Point mine in Palawan drive the start of a multi-year growth phase.

According to the Manila Bulletin, DMCI Mining President Tulsi Das Reyes anticipates strong production growth as all three of the company’s active mines ramp up operations before the end of the year.

DMCI Mining’s nickel ore production already reached a record two million wet metric tons (WMT) in 2025, driven by the full-year operations of Zambales Chromite Mining Corp. (ZCMC) and the initial operations of the Long Point mine.

The Long Point mine, operated by subsidiary Berong Nickel Corp. (BNC), officially commenced commercial operations in March, increasing the company’s operating capacity from two million WMT to three million WMT.

Reyes said the company plans to further ramp up mining activities in the coming months as the Zambales Diversified Metals Corp. (ZDMC) mine approaches depletion later this year.

“We see this momentum carrying over the next few years as our Palawan operations continue to scale, more than meeting with regulatory and environmental standards,” Reyes said during the annual stockholders’ meeting of parent firm DMCI Holdings.

To support long-term production continuity, DMCI Mining is also advancing permitting activities for additional nickel assets, including the proposed Dangla mine in Palawan, which has an estimated extraction rate of two million WMT.

Despite stronger nickel prices this year, Reyes said the company’s expansion strategy remains unchanged and forms part of a longer-term plan that began in 2014 when DMCI Mining acquired several mining assets.

“This does not influence our plans, but more importantly, we would like to have a capacity and volume to make sure that we participate in this market,” Reyes said.

Last year, DMCI Mining increased shipments to China and other export markets to 1.9 million WMT, while average selling prices rose to USD 36 per WMT from USD 29 per WMT.

However, average selling prices in the first quarter slightly declined to USD 35 per WMT after the company increased shipments of mid- to lower-grade ore, reducing the average nickel grade sold to 1.25% from 1.39%.

During the first three months of 2026, nickel ore production rose 24% year-on-year to 787,000 WMT from 633,000 WMT in the same period last year.

The company also posted an 18% increase in net income to PHP 463 million by the end of March, raising its contribution to parent company DMCI Holdings by 8% to PHP 440 million.

As global demand for nickel continues to grow, will Philippine mining companies accelerate capacity expansion and new project development to strengthen their position in the market?

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