The Philippines produces cobalt primarily as a by-product of laterite nickel mining in Palawan, Surigao del Norte, and Agusan del Norte. The Philippines is the world's largest nickel producer and a significant cobalt source, with production from operations including Coral Bay Nickel, Taganito HPAL, and Nickel Asia Corporation mines.
Environmental Compliance Issues
Philippine nickel-cobalt mining has faced significant environmental compliance issues, including tailings spills, deforestation, and impacts on indigenous peoples' ancestral domains. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has suspended and cancelled mining permits at several operations due to environmental violations. Downstream buyers should conduct enhanced due diligence on Philippine cobalt sourcing, particularly regarding environmental impact assessments and Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) from affected indigenous communities.
Key Operations
| Operation | Operator | Province |
|---|---|---|
| Coral Bay Nickel | Sumitomo Metal Mining | Palawan |
| Taganito HPAL | Sumitomo / Nickel Asia | Surigao del Norte |
| Rio Tuba | Nickel Asia Corporation | Palawan |