The Philippines is stepping up efforts to attract global mining investors by showcasing its flagship copper and gold projects, positioning the country to capitalize on soaring demand for critical minerals driven by the energy transition and the realignment of global supply chains.
At the Mining Asia Conference in Singapore, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC)-Singapore and the Board of Investments (BOI), presented a pipeline of investment-ready projects led by the Silangan Project in Surigao del Norte, the King-king Project in Davao de Oro, and the Tampakan Project in South Cotabato.
The government is betting that these large-scale developments will help unlock the country’s vast but underdeveloped reserves of nickel, copper, cobalt and gold, while attracting investments beyond mineral extraction into processing and higher-value manufacturing.
Speaking before global mining executives and investors, PTIC-Singapore Commercial Counselor Carla Grepo said the Philippines is well-positioned to benefit as governments and manufacturers seek more secure and diversified sources of critical minerals.
She noted that opportunities extend beyond mining operations to mineral processing and downstream industries, where investors can bring technology, capital and market access that would strengthen the country’s industrial base.
Complementing the investment pitch, BOI Acting Director Francis M. Peñaflor highlighted the incentives available to qualified projects, including income tax holidays, enhanced deductions, duty- and VAT-free importation of capital equipment, and expedited approvals under the government’s Green Lane for Strategic Investments.
Peñaflor said critical minerals have been identified as a priority industry because they underpin fast-growing sectors such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, semiconductors, electronics, digital infrastructure and advanced manufacturing.
The Silangan Project is expected to begin commercial operations in early 2026, while the King-king Project has advanced to the definitive feasibility study stage. The Tampakan Project remains one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits, underscoring the country’s long-term resource potential.
With the Philippines ranking among the world’s leading holders of nickel, copper and cobalt reserves, and remaining the second-largest producer of mined nickel, the government is seeking to convert its geological advantage into broader industrial investments, export growth and higher-value jobs by moving further up the global critical minerals value chain.
