Philex Mining Explores New Nickel Site in Pangasinan Amid Green Energy Push

Philex Mining, led by chairman Manuel Pangilinan, announced that it is exploring a potential nickel mining site in Pangasinan, as part of its efforts to capitalize on the increasing demand for nickel, driven by the global transition to clean energy.

Philex president and CEO Eulalio Austin revealed that the company has a pending application for a mining site in Pangasinan, which could become a viable source of nickel. "We have an application there that was sleeping for so long in Pangasinan," Austin said.

This exploration in Pangasinan complements the ongoing work Philex is conducting in Zambales, where the company is preparing for its first nickel production. The Zambales property is a greenfield nickel development project under a financial or technical assistance agreement (FTAA) issued during the Ramos administration.

While Austin did not provide specific details regarding the timeline or potential revenue from the Pangasinan project, he emphasized the need for urgency, citing the shift towards green energy and the rising prices of metals. "We will miss the train if we are too slow," Austin noted.

Exploration work in Zambales began this year, with the technical evaluation expected to be completed next year. Austin also mentioned that the potential Pangasinan site is adjacent to Philex's existing area in Zambales, indicating a possible expansion of their nickel mining operations.