The global nickel market will be kept in suspense even longer over the outlook for ore supplies from the Philippines after the country’s mining council again pushed back the deadline for completion of a review of 26 mines ordered shut or suspended last year.
Former Environment Secretary Gina Lopez ordered the closures as part of a mining crackdown led by President Rodrigo Duterte. The new delay could mean the review won’t be ready before August, after an initial pledge to finish it by the end of last year.
The miners have appealed the shutdowns and are still operational, Environment Undersecretary Jonas Leones said Tuesday. “All administrative and judicial remedies have to be exhausted for the orders to be final and executory,” Leones said in a phone interview.