Ipilan Nickel Corp., the Palawan-based operating unit of Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc., has officially opened its 2026 mining season, loading and shipping its first batch of nickel ore for the year to China—an early signal of operational momentum amid steady regional demand.
The bulk carrier MV RU Cheng Shan has departed Ipilan’s anchorage in Brooke’s Point, Palawan carrying 53,912 wet metric tons of low-grade nickel ore averaging 1.30 percent nickel content. The shipment marks the formal start of Ipilan’s 2026 production cycle after months of site preparation and development.
With weather conditions cooperating, Ipilan is targeting at least 1.5 million WMT of nickel ore output this year. The company expects a balanced sales mix, with 52.6 percent low-grade and 47.4 percent medium-grade ore—aligned with customer specifications and prevailing market dynamics in China’s nickel processing sector.
The early shipment reflects what the company described as strong operational readiness at the mine site. Ipilan is rolling out an aggressive development program that includes expanding mining areas, building additional haul roads, and installing environmental protection structures designed to support higher volumes while meeting regulatory standards.
Ipilan operates under a Mineral Production Sharing Agreement with the Philippine government covering 2,835 hectares in Brooke’s Point. Its Palawan operations remain a key pillar of Global Ferronickel’s portfolio, particularly as nickel demand continues to be driven by stainless steel production and the electric vehicle supply chain.
For Global Ferronickel, the timely start of shipments reinforces its strategy of disciplined mine development and responsible resource extraction. Beyond volumes, the company is positioning its operations to deliver longer-term value—through stable exports, local employment generation, and sustained engagement with host communities—while navigating the increasingly scrutinized environmental landscape facing the mining sector.
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