Celestial Nickel proposes doubling Ipilan output to 3 million WMT

Celestial Nickel Mining Exploration Corporation (CNMEC) is proposing to double the annual ore production of its Ipilan Nickel Project in Brooke’s Point, Palawan, from 1.5 million wet metric tonnes (WMT) to 3 million WMT.

The proposal is undergoing review by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) through the project’s Environmental Performance Report and Management Plan (EPRMP). A public hearing has been scheduled as part of the environmental review process.

The Ipilan Nickel Project covers around 2,137.7 hectares across Barangays Maasin, Mambalot, Ipilan, and Calasaguen in Brooke’s Point.

Based on the EMB notice, the existing 622.5-hectare mining and extraction area would remain unchanged despite the proposed doubling of annual production.

The higher output would instead be supported by additional and expanded project facilities, including a new 10-hectare primary stockpile area and changes to the mine’s haul road.

The haul road would be widened from 12 meters to 15 meters and extended from 7.82 kilometers to 8.89 kilometers. The proposal also covers additional mine camp and nursery areas and a new port services area.

Proposed pollution-control and waste-management facilities include new waste and silt dumps, expanded in-pit and ex-pit settling ponds, a mega pond, a sanitary landfill, hazardous-waste storage, oil-water separators, and additional septic tanks.

The project component table shows that the total area for in-pit settling ponds would increase from 1.03 hectares to 60.5 hectares.

The notice also states that the proposed expansion is intended to increase the contribution of mineral resources to economic recovery and national development through taxes, employment, foreign exchange earnings, and regional development.

The EMB will hold the public hearing on August 6, 2026 at 9 a.m. at the Maasin Covered Court in Barangay Maasin, Brooke’s Point.

Interested parties may confirm their attendance and submit concise position papers to the EMB’s Environmental Impact Assessment and Management Division at least three days before the hearing.

Will the proposed infrastructure and environmental safeguards address community and regulatory concerns over the planned doubling of the Ipilan Nickel Project’s output?

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