Berong nickel mine’s path toward environmental recovery

The 343-hectare mining site, once ancestral land to the Pala’wan and Tagbanua indigenous peoples, has been carved deep by years of nickel extraction, leaving behind scars that tell a story of environmental sacrifice and a challenging path toward recovery.

The Berong Nickel Mine began operations in October 2006 under Berong Nickel Corporation (BNC), a subsidiary of DMCI Mining Corporation.

For 15 years, the site produced nickel ore, which was a significant contributor to the local economy and national revenues through royalties and taxes estimated at billions of pesos. However, by December 2021, the mine’s nickel reserves were fully depleted, marking an end to active extraction.

Now, the once-booming site stands silent but far from forgotten. The mining company has since initiated a rehabilitation program, tasked with restoring the degraded landscape and addressing the environmental damage caused by years of mining activity. The rehabilitation covers the mined surface, silt control structures meant to prevent sediment runoff, and the large stockpile areas used to store ore.

According to reports from BNC, rehabilitation efforts began in earnest in mid-2022 and have since focused on soil stabilization, slope benching, and reforestation using native tree species. The company aims to heal the land with careful, sustained efforts, and by mid-2023, it had already surpassed some of its targets, rehabilitating 30 hectares of land.

Despite these efforts, the scars are visible — both physically and socially. Indigenous communities, whose ancestral domains were significantly affected, continue to voice concerns over the loss of their land and traditional ways of life. Environmental watchdogs also remain cautious, reminding the public and stakeholders that rehabilitation is a long-term process and that transparency and accountability are crucial for genuine restoration.

The Berong Nickel Mine case exemplifies a broader challenge in Palawan, one of the Philippines’ last ecological frontiers. The island’s rich natural resources have long attracted mining interests, but also fierce resistance from environmental groups and indigenous peoples.

The legacy of sites like Berong shows the delicate balance between economic development and ecological preservation.

These images, taken by Raffy Tima of GMA Integrated News, vividly capture the visible impact of years of continuous mining activity.

The ongoing rehabilitation project will continue to be monitored by relevant government agencies to ensure compliance with environmental standards and support the sustainable management of natural resources in the region.