Philippines, Indonesian nickel miners forge cooperation agreement

February 17, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s nickel miners have forged a partnership with their Indonesian counterparts to deepen cooperation across the nickel value chain amid a rise in demand for the critical mineral that is key to global energy transition.

The Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) signed an agreement with Asosiasi Penambang Nikel Indonesia (APNI) or the Indonesia Nickel Miners Association that seeks to define a “shared” direction for both industries toward investment confidence, policy dialogue and responsible mining.

PNIA executive director Charmaine Olea-Capili said the partnership is consistent with the ASEAN Principles for Sustainable Minerals Development, adopted by ASEAN Ministers responsible for minerals development last October 2025.

The ASEAN principles recognize the critical role of minerals in supporting strategic sectors such as energy, mobility, infrastructure and the green and digital transitions.

“While this partnership was initiated by industry, we were deliberate in making sure our cooperation is anchored in and responsive to ASEAN’s direction,” Olea-Capili said.

The agreement, Olea-Capili explained, outlines five collaboration pillars: sharing data and policy perspectives; creating platforms for industry dialogue; facilitating industry learning and exposure; supporting capability, human capital and ESG development; and ensuring cooperation remains adaptive as priorities evolve.

“These priorities send a clear signal to investors, governments and other stakeholders about where our industries are headed,” Olea-Capili said.

“They show that APNI and PNIA are serious about building a nickel value chain in the IndoPhil Nickel Corridor that people can rely on to support the energy transition, deliver shared prosperity and earn long-term trust,” Olea-Capili added.

One of the immediate outcomes of the agreement is the promotion of the IndoPhil Nickel Corridor to position the two countries as important areas in the region for investment, policy coordination and global energy transition.

The two industry groups expect to implement the agreement through technical working meetings, stakeholder engagement rounds in Indonesia and the Philippines, reciprocal mine visits and joint learning sessions.

“We invite government partners, investors, communities and other stakeholders to work with us, because responsible nickel development has to support not just the global energy transition, but also deliver real benefits for communities on the ground, and APNI and PNIA are committed to listening and keeping this cooperation moving forward to build trust,” Olea-Capili said.