MANILA, Aug 17 (Reuters) -
* Nickel content of ores extracted by Philippine miners in
the
first half of the year shrank 28% to 102,310 tonnes, compared
with output in the same period last year, the Mines and
Geosciences Bureau (MGB) said
* Nickel ore production in the provinces of Surigao and the
Dinagat Islands in the country's main ore-producing hub of
Caraga is expected to improve in the coming months since weather
conditions will be more favourable for mining operations, the
MGB said in a statement
* The Philippines' two biggest nickel firms do not expect
further
major disruption to their operations this year, after posting
lower first-half ore sales due to lockdown measures aimed at
containing the coronavirus * Since neighbouring Indonesia banned nickel ore shipments
at the
start of the year, the Philippines has become the leading
supplier of nickel ore, the raw material for stainless steel, to
the world's biggest metals producer and user, China