Ningbo, Zhejiang Province – A top nickel mining enterprise based in Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, is keen on future expansion in the Philippines. Lygend Resources & Technology Co., Ltd. (Ningbo Lygend) conveyed this at the meeting between Associate Manager Robin ZHANG with the Consulate General’s Economic Team led by Consul Conrado B. Demdem, Jr. and Commercial Vice Consul Mario Tani on 22 July.  

Ningbo Lygend has extensive nickel mining and business operations across China and the world, including in Indonesia, Malaysia, French New Caledonia, Turkey, and Tanzania. In partnership with Nickel Asia, it has since 2009 been an importer of Philippine nickel ore sourced from Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur, shipping 10.64 million tons in 2020, or 26% of the country’s total nickel ore exports.

Apart from supply chain interests, Ningbo Lygend’s expansion plans in the Philippines are positioned to ride on the anticipated wave of rising demand for electric vehicle batteries for the next decade. Among nickel’s biggest uses is in EV battery production.

Consul Demdem underscored the substantial contribution of mining to PH’s GDP, and affirmed investments in the sector that are compliant with law, sustainable, and responsible vis-à-vis local communities and the environment, are welcome. PTIC-Shanghai Chief Tani expressed its readiness to facilitate linkages with potential partners through the Bureau of Investments. END