MANILA, Philippines — Macro Asia Corp. (MAC) is set to start the development of surface nickel mining operation in Brooke’s Point, Palawan after completing a seven-phased exploration for which it has spent some P240 million.

The company is just awaiting release of environmental compliance certificate while it has so far secured endorsements from three impact barangays.

“We have been well-received by people in our community,” said MAC Vice President for Mining Ramon N. Santos in an interview.

It already received endorsement from Indigenous People (IP) in the area, primarily from Palawan IPs. Since it started exploration work in 2010, it has spent more than P40 million for a Social Development and Management Program (SDMP).

It will take just about six months to develop the mine, as this mine, a forerunner of the Infanta Nickel mine, already operated in the 1970s. MAC holds a mineral production sharing agreement over a 1,114-hectare tenement within Ipilan, Maasin, and Mambalot.

The nickel mine has a total resource of 34.764 million dry metric tons (DMT) at 1.23 percent nickel of which 21.458 million DMT is indicated and 10.82 million DMT is measured.

The company aims to further conduct exploration, infill drilling and test pitting, in order to potentially expand production.

“The estimates provide a firm basis for transforming resources into reserves, hence eventual mineral production, lasting many years, depending on the production rate and mine plan that can be set and designed by a PMRC (Philippine Mineral Reporting Code)-accredited mining engineer,” reported MAC.

Immediate start of production from the Infanta nickel mine is possible as road networks have long been existing in the site and a stockpile of ore have been accumulated from previous operations.

“There exists a stockpile of ore that can readily be hauled to the pier once operating permits are acquired in full compliance with the mining laws and regulations. Thus, reactivating the mine will take a shorter development period, compared to a greenfield project.”