The leading nickel industry associations of Indonesia and the Philippines signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation across the regional value chain and establish a coordinated investment platform, the groups said Friday.
The partnership between the Asosiasi Penambang Nikel Indonesia (APNI) and the Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) unites the world’s two largest nickel producers. The collaboration aims to boost investment confidence, promote policy coordination and advance sustainable mining practices through the creation of the IndoPhil Nickel Corridor.
The agreement aligns with the ASEAN Principles for Sustainable Minerals Development adopted in October 2025. These principles emphasize the strategic role of minerals in energy transition and digital infrastructure while maintaining environmental and social governance standards.
PNIA executive-director Charmaine Olea-Capili said the partnership positions Indonesian and Philippine nickel as a unified platform for investment and policy dialogue.
“The corridor shows that nickel from our countries is developed under clear standards and accountability,” Olea-Capili said, noting that the partnership is based on responsibly sourced resources.
The cooperation focuses on shared priorities such as regulatory coherence, alignment with sustainable development goals and the promotion of value-added mineral processing.
The groups also intend to collaborate on human capital development and community engagement to build public trust.
“These priorities send a clear signal to investors, governments, and stakeholders that APNI and PNIA are serious about building a reliable nickel value chain in the IndoPhil Nickel Corridor,” Olea-Capili said.
The IndoPhil Nickel Corridor signals to global markets that regional extraction meets international environmental and governance expectations.
Industry leaders expect the move to attract further capital into the Southeast Asian mining sector as the global demand for electric vehicle batteries continues to rise.
