To enhance its position in the global supply chain by utilizing its green metal reserves, the Philippines actively pursued partnerships with ten major international players in the mining and electric vehicle (EV) sectors.
The aim is to establish itself as a central hub for EV manufacturing and green metals production.
In a report by the Manila Bulletin, the Board of Investments (BOI) presented its case to Canadian firms during the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) 2024 conference in Toronto, Canada.
Representatives from Canadian, US, and Australian companies spanning mining, mineral processing, battery materials, consultancy, and academia attended the meeting, signaling widespread interest. However, no firm commitments were made yet during the event.
BOI revealed plans for follow-up meetings with interested parties, with one company expressing intentions to visit the country later this year, indicating growing interest in potential partnerships in mineral processing.
Ma. Corazon Halili-Dichosa, BOI’s Executive Director for Industry Development Services, reiterated the Philippines’ goal of localizing mineral processing to meet domestic demand and export higher-value materials, aligning with the global energy transition while maximizing economic benefits from its mineral wealth.
Highlighting the minerals’ role in the global energy transition, the business delegation emphasized the country’s rich mineral resources, particularly substantial deposits of copper, nickel, iron, chromite, cobalt, gold, and rare earth elements spread across approximately nine million hectares of mineral-rich land.
Local mining groups, represented by the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (CoMP) and the Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA), presented investment opportunities in major copper-gold projects such as King-king, Tampakan, and Silangan.
Consul General Angelica Escalona expressed optimism about strengthening economic cooperation between the Philippines and Canada, citing Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy as a promising avenue for deeper collaboration.
PDAC 2024 provided an excellent platform for the Philippines to demonstrate its commitment to clean energy technologies while positioning itself as a preferred destination for priority sectors such as electric vehicles, smart manufacturing, renewable energy, and green metals, leveraging its strategic location and rich resources.
