Ramon A. L. Flores, resource development technical services manager of ACMDC subsidiary Berong Nickel Corp. (BNC), said the company is now working on its eight shipment of 50,000 MT. While hoping to meet the target, he said though that mining is affected by certain factors.

"We don’t have control over the weather, (on how often it will rain)," he said.

At 1.5 percent cut-off and a nickel price of ,000 per MT in the market, the value of the year’s shipment is estimated at 0 million.

The project has an initial estimated resource of 275 million dry metric (MT) at an average grade of 1.3 percent nickel and 0.974 percent cobalt. The mine has an initial life of 10 to 15 years.

But the company is eyeing for expansion through its future exploration as it has applications for exploration permit over three projects also adjacent to the Berong area in Palawan. The projects include Longpoint, Morsoon, and Tagkawayan.

BNC had just obtained approval of its mineral production sharing agreement from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. However, it has been shipping its ore through its ore transport permit.