DMCI Mining expands with 2 new mines

DMCI Mining Corp., led by the Consunji family, is gearing up to expand by adding two new active mines this year, boosting its production capacity to three sites.

The Zambales Chromite Mining Company (ZCMC) in Santa Cruz, Zambales, began operations in December 2024 and is expected to reach full operational capacity by the first quarter.

The mine operates under an Environmental Compliance Certificate, permitting an annual production limit of 1 million wet metric tons (WMT).

In Palawan, the Berong Nickel Corp. (BNC) is preparing to restart production through its Long Point mine in Aborlan, which is in the final stages of securing its Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA).

P400M for expansion

In an interview with reporters, DMCI Mining President Tulsi Das C. Reyes said the company plans to allocate an additional P400 million this year to support its expansion efforts. The investment will complement the P634 million in capital expenditures the company deployed last year.

“Our two new mines, ZCMC and BNC’s Long Point, mark a long-anticipated step forward for DMCI Mining. With increased production capacity and the Long Point port nearing completion, we are confident in delivering improved operational and financial performance this year,” Reyes said.

“We’re targeting a combined annual production capacity of 3 million WMT from our three mines, including Zambales Diversified Metals Corporation (ZDMC), subject to the approval of necessary permits for Long Point,” he added.

BNC’s mine site in Quezon town in the province of Palawan, which was fully depleted in 2021, has been undergoing rehabilitation since 2022.

Six-year rehab program

Reyes said the six-year rehabilitation program remains on track for completion by 2027.

Once rehabilitation is finished, the disturbed areas could be repurposed for eco-tourism, agroforestry, and inland fish farming in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, local government units, and host communities.

In addition to creating 1,634 direct and indirect jobs, the mining operations produced 10.3 million wet metric tons of nickel ore and generated P2.6 billion in mining duties, royalties, and taxes.