The Berong Nickel Project (BNC) has been granted priority development status, and is now included among the priority mining development projects monitored by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) under the Philippines Mining Revitalization Program.

Priority projects can expect full support and facilitation on permits and other government documents requiring approvals, as well as speedy action to resolve any impediments to project execution. Priority Project Status was granted by the MGB director, Horacio C Ramos.

BNC is a joint venture between Toledo Mining Corp, Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp and Investika.

Development of the mine and associated infrastructure is nearing completion as activities focus on the extraction of a bulk metallurgical sample of some 30,000 dry tonnes at a grade of about 1.7% nickel (includes 10% dilution). Shipment to customer(s) is expected this month.

Commercial mining operations are expected to start in November/December and are dependent upon attaining the necessary final approvals from the government. An export target of 80,000 to 90,000 dry tonnes has been set for 2006, 620,000 tonnes for 2007, and 1 million tonnes in 2008 and beyond. The grade of laterite ore to be mined in the first year of operations is estimated to average approximately 1.9% nickel. www.toledomining.com

News sourced from International Mining Project News - www.im-mining.com