DENR Reaffirms MPSA Ipilan Nickel Certification

The Bureau of Mines and Geosciences (BGM) confirmed that the Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) 017-93-IV between the government and Ipilan Nickel Corp. (Ipilan nickel) is valid until April 10, 2025.

Ipilan Nickel’s parent company, Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc., said on Thursday that this would allow the subsidiary to “retain its exclusive right to responsibly conduct mining operations in the municipality of Brooks Point, Palawan, covering 2,835 hectares, of which 260 hectares have already been partially declared mining.” area”.

It says that in response to the city council’s resolution, MGB regional director Glen Marcelo K. Noble issued a clarification in a Feb. 21 letter to Brooks Point Vice Mayor Mary Jean Feliciano.

The city council wants to investigate Ipilan Nickel following allegations that the 2018 MPSA update was made without the approval of the municipality, as well as without permission from the National Commission on Indigenous Affairs (NCIP) and the Board of Protected Areas Management.

Noble said the 1993 MPSA was amended in April 2000 to align with the Philippine Mining Act of 1995. He added that NCIP approval is not required as this only applies to applications made after the 1997 Indigenous Rights Act went into effect.

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Ipilan Nickel has reportedly already completed the NCIP certification process in preparation for the MPSA renewal in 2025.

“We are awaiting an extension of the Mayor’s Permit as we have already submitted the required paperwork and have complied with all laws and regulations,” said Alex Arabis, Ipilan Nickel Mine Manager.

Shares of Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. on Thursday did not change and amounted to 2.54 pesos per share.