Unlocking the Philippines’ critical minerals potential through investment and policy reform
2026
Context and Opportunity
The Philippines holds significant untapped potential in the global clean-energy supply chain, central to its ambition to double mining and processing’s GDP contribution to 2% by 2028. The country holds ~70,000Kt of copper reserves (valued at ~£553B) and is the world’s sixth largest holder of nickel reserves. These critical minerals sit at the heart of the global energy transition, with surging demand from Electric Vehicles and clean energy infrastructure making the Philippines’ untapped reserves increasingly valuable.
Despite strong geological fundamentals, there is opportunity for Philippines’ critical minerals sector to develop further relative to its potential. Over 90% of high mineral potential areas in the country are unexplored and several known assets face prolonged delays. Streamlining barriers such as permitting, community relations, and environmental regulations offers a clear route to unlocking this untapped value for investors.
Growth Gateway supported the convening of key stakeholders to prioritise responsible mining opportunities and position the Philippines as a preferred investment destination. The intervention brought together government agencies, investors, industry bodies, and mining experts to prioritise market access barriers for reform, shortlist six high-potential copper projects, and engage 25+ investors to build visibility on opportunities in the sector.
Key highlights
Potential GDP Uplift
~£10B
Potential GDP uplift from 6 prioritized copper projects
Market Access Barriers
8
Market Access Barriers (MABs) identified across the value chain
Stakeholders Engaged
40+
Comprising mining companies, investors, and GoP agencies
Support Provided
Identified priority MABs and advanced policy reform with the Government of Philippines
Conducted an evidence-led diagnostic to surface the most detrimental barriers
- Engaged 10+ local operators, investors, and key government agencies to identify 8 MABs across the critical minerals value chain
- Secured GoP alignment on 4 priority reform areas based on impact and reform feasibility
- Developed a reform roadmap grounded in global benchmarks, incorporating environmental and community safeguards
Impact Achieved
8
MABs identified with 4 prioritised for reform by Government of Philippines
Built a robust investment pipeline and engaged project developers
Assessed the Philippines’ critical minerals value chain to identify and target priority copper opportunities
- Screened 380+ projects across mining, processing, and manufacturing to shortlist high-potential copper projects
- Worked closely with 2 priority project developers to refine project positioning
- Developed a “Why Philippines” investor narrative deployed at PDAC1 2026 conference
6
High-potential projects shortlisted
Engaged priority investors to support capital mobilisation
Mapped the investor landscape and ran a targeted engagement programme to test appetite for high-potential copper projects
- Shortlisted potential investors across mining-focused private equity, junior miners, and financing institutions
- Engaged 25+ investors to assess perceptions of the Philippines as a mining jurisdiction
- Secured interest from 10+ investors to participate in a direct roundtable with GoP
1Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada
10+
Investors secured for a direct roundtable with GoP
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