MANILA, Philippines — DMCI Mining Corp. is closing in on its ambitious 3 million wet metric ton (WMT) nickel ore production target for 2026, powered by strong output from Zambales and the rapid ramp-up of its Long Point operation in Palawan.
DMCI Mining president and chief operating officer Tulsi Das Reyes said the company is confident it can reach the target despite seasonal weather disruptions that could temporarily affect shipments.
The company’s latest figures show just how quickly production has accelerated.
DMCI Mining has already reached about 1.6 million tons from its Zambales operations, while its Palawan operations have shipped roughly 1 million tons in three months, putting the group close to its full-year goal.
“We’re almost to where we want to be. We’re not too far away,” Reyes said during a briefing.
Palawan becomes the game changer
The biggest shift in DMCI Mining’s production profile is coming from Long Point in Aborlan, Palawan, which has emerged as a critical new source of nickel ore for the company.
The Long Point project covers approximately 2,177 hectares under a mineral production sharing agreement secured by DMCI subsidiary Berong Nickel Corp. The agreement gives the company the right to explore, develop and utilize mineral resources in the area for an initial 25-year term, renewable for another 25 years.
Long Point began commercial operations in March 2026, bringing DMCI Mining’s active mine sites to three and lifting its overall operating capacity to around 3 million WMT annually. The expansion is also strategically important because one of the company’s Zambales operations is expected to approach depletion later this year.
That makes Palawan more than simply an additional source of production—it is becoming an important part of DMCI Mining’s next growth phase.
From record output to another possible milestone
DMCI Mining entered 2026 after posting its strongest production performance on record.
In 2025, the company produced 2 million WMT of nickel ore, up 33 percent from 1.5 million WMT in 2024. Shipments increased 31 percent to 1.9 million WMT.
The stronger production came as the company expanded its Zambales operations and began initial activity at Long Point.
DMCI Mining’s performance also benefited from firmer nickel prices. The average benchmark Philippine free-on-board price for 1.5-percent-grade laterite nickel ore rose to about $45.70 per WMT in 2025 from $36.30 a year earlier, according to company figures reported by several Philippine business outlets.
The company has therefore entered 2026 with two favorable developments: higher production capacity and a stronger nickel market backdrop.
Indonesia factor adds another layer
Regional nickel supply dynamics are also becoming increasingly important.
Indonesia, the world’s largest nickel producer, has been tightening its mining quota in an effort to support prices. At the same time, Philippine nickel ore has become increasingly important to Indonesian processors.
Reuters reported this week that Indonesia imported 11.4 million metric tons of nickel ore from the Philippines from January through July 2026, up sharply from 6.82 million tons during the same period a year earlier. The shipments were valued at approximately $696.5 million.
That surge underscores the Philippines’ growing role in the regional nickel supply chain at a time when Indonesian supply policies are being closely watched by the market.
For Philippine producers such as DMCI Mining, the changing regional landscape could create opportunities—but also exposes producers to fluctuations in prices, demand, shipping conditions and government policies.
Weather remains a critical hurdle
Reaching 3 million WMT, however, is not simply a matter of mine capacity.
Weather remains one of DMCI Mining’s biggest operational variables.
Reyes said heavy rains in Zambales can force seasonal interruptions, while Palawan’s shipping operations are also affected by sea conditions and tides.
The company expects Zambales operations to resume in the fourth quarter after the seasonal stoppage, while Palawan will likewise face operational limitations as high tides affect its shipping window.
Despite those challenges, Reyes said he remains confident the company can deliver its 3-million-WMT target for 2026.
The bigger story may be what comes next
DMCI Mining is already looking beyond the 3-million-ton milestone.
The company said it plans to continue exploring the Long Point assets and surrounding areas as it seeks to build a larger and more sustainable mining portfolio in Palawan.
Recent reporting also points to the longer-term potential of Long Point. The project is substantially larger than DMCI Mining’s former Berong operation, with company officials highlighting its resource potential, ore characteristics and direct access to shipping routes.
Meanwhile, the company has emphasized rehabilitation alongside expansion. Berong Nickel has already rehabilitated more than 174 hectares under its approved Final Mine Rehabilitation and Decommissioning Plan, with the program targeted for completion in 2027.
For DMCI Mining, therefore, the 3-million-WMT target is more than a production number.
It marks a transition—from a company rebuilding its nickel business after a difficult period into a producer attempting to establish a much larger footprint in the Philippine nickel industry.
And with Long Point only beginning to scale, the 3-million-ton milestone may not be the ceiling—it could be the starting point for DMCI Mining’s next expansion cycle.
WWC ONE MEDIA MJE
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