SusNi - Developing a Sustainable pathway for the Philippine Nickel sector

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Global demand for nickel (Ni) will increase rapidly by 2030, principally driven by its use in rechargeable batteries, needed for automotive electrification and clean energy technologies as part of the global drive towards decarbonisation. However, there are concerns that this growth, coupled with the environmental consequence of mineral extraction, processing and waste production is likely to increase the pressure on the resource base of our economies and jeopardise future gains in well-being. This will be a particular challenge for resource-rich countries, such as the Philippines. As the world's second largest producer of nickel and with vast, undeveloped Ni mineral resources, this market growth also presents a major economic opportunity for the Philippines. However, further expansion of the nickel sector must be responsibly managed and meet long-term sustainable development goals by integrating environmental, social and economic considerations. This includes maximising the economic benefits to the country, ensuring positive impacts on local livelihoods, minimising and managing environmental and health impacts, reducing conflicts with other sectors, and limiting carbon footprint. The Ni mining sector in the Philippines already faces substantial interconnected challenges related to environmental impact, social licence to operate and a lack of integrated resource governance. The Caraga Region, occupying the north-eastern part of Mindanao in the Philippines, is the most important part of the country for Ni production. It therefore provides an excellent case study area to develop a tailored framework for long-term, responsible and inclusive mineral development, based on the concept of Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA). Via a five-month partnership and project (called SusNi - Developing a Sustainable pathway for the Philippine Nickel sector) development grant the British Geological Survey (UK), working with Caraga State University and the Mines Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in the Philippines will identify the key knowledge gaps, refine the research questions that need to be addressed, and bring on board the multidisciplinary partnerships required to develop a SESA framework for the Ni sector in the Caraga Region. These activities will form the basis for submitting a fully developed, co-designed UK-Philippine research proposal for a strategic large grant.