Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc.’s (FNI) affiliate Ipilan Nickel Corporation has successfully completed its  maiden shipment of ore to Guangdong Century Tsingshan Nickel Industry Co., Ltd in China.
 
In a disclosure, FNI said that its shipment contained 54,700 Wet Metric Tons of medium-grade nickel ore loaded aboard M/V He Sheng Nan Fang.
 
“After years of careful planning and regulatory compliance, this inaugural shipment is a remarkable milestone for our Group and bodes well for the country’s economic and social governance goals at this critical time,” said FNI Chairman Joseph C. Sy.
 
“Target for the year is 500,000 WMT, with increased production in the coming years, as we begin year-round operations,” he added.
 
Under its Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) with the government, INC is authorized to engage in the exploration, development and utilization for commercial purposes of nickel and other mineral deposits in the Municipality of Brooke’s Point, Palawan, with an area of 2,835 hectares.
 
The estimated mine life is at least ten years, with an annual production rate of 1.5 million WMT of medium- to high-grade nickel ores.
 
“We are proud of this development because it sets the tone for the optimal pursuit of our social development and environmental protection objectives. INC can now roll up the score in community engagement with various socio-civic initiatives in place from the beginning of our operations,” added Sy.
 
These projects include support for education, wellness, and livelihood development through scholarship grants, donation of school supplies, rice harvesters, fishing boats and implements, medicines and other health essentials, among others.
 
INC has also tagged infrastructure as its primary focus with the establishment of a mini-hydro power plant and farm-to-market roads.