Suspension of nickel mining in Philippines to impact China nickel ore imports in April

SHANGHAI, Mar 31 (SMM) – China’s nickel ore imports from the Philippines, one of the major sources of ore supply for China, could be badly hit in April as the Philippines has suspended all mining operations in its nickel mining hub Surigao del Norte from April 1, as an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Shipments of ores from all mining areas, except for that in the Tubay and Tawi-Tawi areas, will also be affected. 

The restrictions will likely impact 70% of the previously estimated imports of 2.5 million mt of nickel ore from the Philippines in April, SMM assessed. Customs data showed that China took 2.41 million mt nickel ore (mixture of dry and wet materials) from the Philippines in April 2019. 

Customs data also indicated that China’s imports of nickel ore shrank sharply in February as Indonesia stopped its exports of unprocessed ore from the start of the year.

The Philippines declared a state of emergency on March 25, following it banned the entry of foreign vessels to Surigao del Norte between March 18-31.