DMCI Mining Corp. expects to meet its 2026 nickel ore production target of 3 million metric tons (MT), supported by output from its operations in Palawan and Zambales, according to its president.

DMCI Mining President and Chief Operating Officer Tulsi Das C. Reyes told reporters on Wednesday that the company had shipped about 1 million tons from its Long Point mine in Aborlan, Palawan, over a period of three months.

The company's two mines in Santa Cruz, Zambales — operated by Zambales Diversified Metal Corp. and Zambales Chromite Mining Co. — have shipped 1.6 million tons, Mr. Reyes said.

"We're on track for this year, for 3 million, that was our target," Mr. Reyes told reporters.

"Next year, we'll stay the same, unless we are able to open a new mine and/or increase our ECC (Environmental Compliance Certificate) for either property," he added.

Mr. Reyes noted that the Zambales operations had experienced disruptions due to rainfall. "We have a seasonal stop, which we normally do in a month, and then we'll start off in Q4 again," he said.

On shipments, Mr. Reyes said the nickel ore the company shipped in the first half of the year went to Indonesia, while a majority of its second-half shipments are expected to go to China.

He also said that at least 40 million tons of the 60 million tons of nickel ore produced in the Philippines could ultimately go to China, either directly or through Indonesia.

"There's a variance between what Indonesia is willing to give in terms of the requirements in their country. I think they're short about 60-70 million tons. The Philippines does about 60-70 million tons a year, but that does not all go to Indonesia, we also send to China," Mr. Reyes said.

"The first half of the year was all Indonesia. The second half, moving forward, is looking like China will get majority of our import. But at the end of the day, it's all China," he added.

The Philippines is one of the world's top nickel ore producers, and its shipments have taken on added significance for buyers such as China since Indonesia, the largest producer, banned nickel ore exports in 2020 to push domestic processing of the metal, which is a key raw material for stainless steel and electric-vehicle batteries. The demand shift Mr. Reyes described reflects that broader supply landscape, in which Philippine ore flows both to Chinese smelters and to Indonesian processors.

DMCI Mining met its 3-million-MT nickel ore production target last year. — Marron Joshua F. Mendoza