Tycoon Lucio Tan's MacroAsia Corp. is applying for a permit to mine nickel ore in a 1,114- hectare area in Brooke's Point, Palawan.

Through its subsidiary MacroAsia Mining, MacroAsia has partnered with Calmia Nickel to explore and operate the long-idle Infanta nickel project. According to MacroAsia, "permits to operate the mine are now being secured."

Operations have been delayed because of legal, environmental and other issues. The mining project apparently encompasses land occupied by indigenous people in the area.

Back in the 1970s, MacroAsia had actually been exporting nickel laterite to Sumitomo in Japan. However, a plunge in nickel prices moved MacroAsia to cease operations in the project.