THE Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) said it is pressing for a bigger role in an international industry group to better anticipate market developments.
“While we remain optimistic as an industry, there are uncertainties and volatilities in the world nickel trade that we must not ignore. We would be in a better position to leverage opportunities and mitigate the effects of headwinds if we engage in these international discussions,” PNIA President Dante R. Bravo said in a statement.
The International Nickel Study Group (INSG) was established in 1990, to improve transparency in the global metals market and to serve as a talking shop for issues related to the production and consumption of nickel.
INSG meets twice a year, in April and October. PNIA attended the October meeting in Lisbon with observer status.
PNIA Chairman Isidro C. Alcantara said INSG membership will help the industry better understand the market for nickel, which is moving beyond steel manufacturing with e-vehicle manufacturers gaining a bigger role.
“We need access to INSG’s wealth of knowledge and experience as input to our own road map to make it more responsive to global opportunities and become more effective in promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth for our country,” he said.
The Philippines was second in nickel ore production in 2018 with 340,000 tons. Leading producer Indonesia will ban nickel exports next year to develop its own processing industry.
PNIA’s members include Agata Mining Ventures, Inc., Carrascal Nickel Corp., Citinickel Mines and Development Corp., CTP Construction and Mining Corp., DMCI Mining Corp., Marcventures Mining Development Corp., and Platinum Group Metals Corp.