THPAL MILESTONES IN PHILIPPINES

THPAL milestones in the Philippines

The Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation (THPAL), a mineral processing plant, was incorporated in the Philippines on August 22, 2008, to engage mainly in the manufacture and export of Nickel and Cobalt Mixed Sulfide.

THPAL’s Plant is designed to have an annual output of 30,000 MT of Nickel and 2,640 Metric of Cobalt in the form of Ni-Co Mixed Sulfide with a project life span of 30 years. This Ni-Co Mixed Sulfide will be exported to the Nihama Nickel Refinery in Ehime Prefecture, Japan.

However, with continuous research and development, THPAL pioneered the production of Scandium in the country in 2019 and further, successfully conducted its Chromite commercial production in April 2021.

The Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation is a subsidiary of Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd Japan, and the sister company of Coral Bay Nickel Corporation (CBNC), the first company in the world to successfully employ the highly efficient HighPressure Acid Leaching (HPAL) technology that turns low-grade Nickel ore into a manufactured intermediate product of high commercial value.

Over the last 8 years since its commercial operation in the country, particularly in the Province of Surigao del Norte, THPAL has been contributing in 5 major ways:

Adding Value to the Low-Grade Ores

Using the HPAL technology, THPAL optimizes the utilization of minerals by producing several rare mineral products from low-grade ores, which is not of value before. Through its advanced technology, THPAL produces Nickel and Cobalt in the form of MS Sulfide, Scandium, and Chromite.

Adding Value to the Environment

The company advocates responsible environmental management to protect the environment beyond compliance and adheres to stringent safety measures while operating its stateof-the-art plant facility equipped with a Hydrogen Sulfide plant, Power Plant, Wastewater Treatment

Page 37 >

< Page 36

Facility, Sewage Treatment Plant, air pollution control facility, and other pollution control mechanisms put in place to safeguard the people and the environment. The plant achieved its ISO 14001:2015 certification in 2017.

Adding Value to the Communities

THPAL started the implementation of the Social Development and Management Program before its commercial operation to address the clamor of the communities for an improved quality of life. To date, the company is supporting 536 college scholars, 699 senior citizens, 233 Persons with Disability, 12 people’s organizations with 306 members, 165 Barangay Health Works and other medical workers in the communities, and other 255 recipients. We have been responsible for the construction of multi-million infrastructure projects like schools, roads, health centers, and churches, to name a few.

Adding Value to the Filipino Skills

The company cultivates a diverse workforce where upon joining THPAL, were exposed to a wide array of skills that puts a premium on their professions. They are not only trained to become experts in their field but to become responsible citizens of the communities.

Adding Value to the Economy

The entry of THPAL into the industry brought forth employment opportunities for thousands of locals. This is also considered the region’s major economic driver with the infusion of 1.6B US dollars for the establishment of the project in Barangay Taganito, Claver, Surigao del Norte.

THPAL produces a mixed nickel-cobalt sulfide called mixed sulfide (MS). The Niihama Nickel Refinery and Harima Refinery in Japan refine this MS, producing electrolytic nickel, electrolytic cobalt, nickel sulfate, etc. This HPAL process enables the recovery of nickel and cobalt from low-grade nickel oxide ore, which couldn’t be smelted and refined with traditional technology. It is garnering attention as a way of effectively using previously untapped resources.

The company does not only aspire to become the leading HPAL plant in the world but it believes that business success is, when a society grows with it by providing lasting benefits to the Filipino people and the world. The Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation is Surigao del Norte’s pride in the Caraga Region.