The country’s metallic mineral production increased by 15.1 percent in the first half of 2025, reaching ₱135.62 billion, up from ₱117.78 billion in the same period last year, according to a preliminary report released by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) on Monday.
The growth was primarily fueled by a significant 45.6 percent increase in gold production, which rose to ₱79.82 billion, accounting for nearly 59 percent of total output. This compensated for declines in nickel and other metals.
Nickel ore and related products (including mixed nickel-cobalt sulfide and scandium oxalate) brought in ₱39.9 billion, down 15.9 percent from 1H 2024, reflecting weaker volumes and price pressures. Copper contributed ₱13.7 billion, up slightly by 3 percent year-on-year. Meanwhile, combined output from silver, chromite, and iron ore fell 2.6 percent to ₱2.22 billion.
Despite output volume declines in key metals — including nickel ore (down 23.9 percent) and copper concentrate (down 15.2 percent) — the increase in value suggests resilient pricing and operational gains in gold, silver, and iron. Notably, iron ore production surged 140 percent, while gold and silver volumes increased by 6.2 percent and 3.4 percent, respectively.
The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) attributed the gains to the strong performance of precious and base metals, stating that these offset the downturn in nickel, which faced global price pressures and weather-related disruptions.
COMP chairman Michael Toledo expressed cautious optimism for the rest of the year, citing potential risks from commodity market volatility, global economic shifts, and weather disturbances that could affect mining operations and exports.
The performance highlights both the commercial resilience of certain segments in the Philippine mining industry and the continuing exposure to external risks, especially in export-driven commodities like nickel.
