The Philippine nickel industry said the country was positioned to become a more dependable regional supplier as Indonesia reviewed its mining quota policy for 2026.
The Philippine Nickel Industry Association said shifting production rules in Indonesia underscored the need for ASEAN to avoid relying too heavily on a single source of critical minerals.
Citing data from the US Geological Survey, the group said the Philippines accounted for about 10 percent of global nickel production and held the world’s sixth-largest reserves. Local output reached 67 million wet metric tons in 2025, with more than 70 percent coming from PNIA members.
PNIA president Dante Bravo said the country’s consistent production across different market cycles strengthened its case as a long-term supplier. He noted that Philippine miners continued operating despite quota changes, pandemic disruptions and swings in global demand.
The association said cooperation with Indonesia remained central to its strategy. PNIA and the Asosiasi Penambang Nikel Indonesia earlier signed an agreement covering responsible mining, sustainability, investment promotion and technical knowledge sharing under the IndoPhil Nickel Corridor.
PNIA also pushed for a broader supply base as global demand for nickel increased, particularly from the battery and stainless steel industries. It said ASEAN could use its mineral resources, labor pool and growing investment ties to build a more balanced regional supply chain.
The group added that the Philippines still needed faster permits, more predictable regulations and stronger investment incentives to attract processing facilities and move into higher-value segments of the industry. PNIA said it was coordinating with several government agencies to address these barriers.
The association also saw potential in deeper trade and investment ties with Canada and other partners seeking diversified sources of critical minerals. It said closer ASEAN cooperation could help establish a multi-country supply network that supported responsible mining and reduced dependence on any single market.