FAQ and Answers
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1. Novel IP: Eco Au/Ni Nitric Acid Leach (NAL) Development
Q1. What is the Eco Au/Ni Nitric Acid Leach (NAL) process?
A: The Eco Au/Ni NAL is a proposed proprietary mineral processing technology currently in development. It aims to extract laterite ore nickel, cobalt, manganese, scandium, non-laterite: gold, copper and iron sand, using nitric acid in a closed-loop system. The goal is to achieve high metal recovery with minimal environmental impact. While the process has not yet been piloted due to funding requirements, pre-development work, including initial flowsheet design and lab validation planning, is in place, and the project is actively seeking capital to complete the Advanced Feasibility Study and pilot deployment.
Q2. What makes the Eco Au/Ni NAL process different from HPAL or RKEF?
A: Unlike HPAL, which is capital- and energy-intensive, and RKEF, which produces only ferronickel, Eco Au/Ni NAL is modular, scalable, and capable of extracting multiple high-value metals. It also avoids sulfuric acid and does not generate tailing ponds, reducing environmental risks.
Q3. Is the Eco Au/Ni NAL process already patented?
A: The IP is under development and protected through an engineering novel process strategy. A freedom-to-operate (FTO) assessment is underway to ensure global defensibility prior to patent filings.
Q4. What is the scalability of this technology?
A: The process is modular, meaning small-scale pilot plants (300,000 DMT/year) can be deployed within 6–8 months and scaled up to 1.5M DMT/year for commercial operations based on demand and capital availability.
Q5. Does the Eco Au/Ni NAL process use AI and IoT?
A: Yes, the system integrates AI and IoT to monitor chemical balance, gas emissions, and plant performance in real-time—improving efficiency, safety, and compliance.
2. Laterite Ore Make-up in the Philippines
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Q6. What is laterite ore and why is it important in the Philippines?
A: Laterite ore is a type of soil rich in iron, aluminium, and critical battery metals like nickel and cobalt. The Philippines has one of the largest laterite deposits globally, making it a strategic location for EV supply chains.
Q7. What minerals can be extracted from laterite ore?
A: Primarily nickel and cobalt, but also iron, manganese, scandium, rare earth elements (REEs), and even gold in some regions.
Q8. Are all laterite ores in the Philippines the same?
A: No. Laterite composition varies widely across regions. Some are nickel-rich with low magnesium, others are iron-dominated or contain higher levels of cobalt or rare earths.
Q9. How is laterite ore classified?
A: Typically into limonite (iron-rich, lower Ni) and saprolite (magnesium-rich, higher Ni). Each type requires specific processing techniques.
Q10. What are the challenges of processing Philippine laterite ores?
A: High variability in grade and composition, logistical constraints due to island geography, and limited local downstream facilities.
3. Laterite Ore and Agriculture + JICA Findings
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Q11. Can laterite-rich land be used for agriculture?
A: JICA and UP studies show that land with high laterite content is often poor in nutrients and acidic, making it unsuitable for long-term agriculture without heavy chemical inputs.
Q12. What did the JICA-supported assessments reveal?
A: The assessments found that lands thought viable for agriculture actually held suboptimal fertility, but were rich in critical minerals like nickel, iron, and cobalt—offering greater long-term value through mineral processing.
Q13. How does mineral development align with agricultural goals?
A: By using advanced processing that avoids land degradation, former laterite zones can be rehabilitated for agroforestry or converted into eco-agri-tourism zones after mineral recovery.
Q14. Can mining and agriculture coexist?
A: Yes—with responsible mining and land restoration, mining operations can unlock funding for sustainable agri-infrastructure while preserving ecosystem potential post-mining.
4. PH Government and Downstream Processing Policy
Q15. What is the Philippine government’s policy on downstream processing?
A: The government strongly supports downstream processing to increase in-country value, reduce raw ore exports, and build industrial self-reliance. BOI incentives and DENR permitting reforms are aligned to support these goals.
Q16. Are there any bans on exporting raw ore?
A: The government has signalled its intent to gradually phase out raw laterite ore exports, particularly to China, in favour of domestic beneficiation and processing.
Q17. What incentives are available for building processing plants?
A: BOI registration offers tax holidays, import duty exemptions, and streamlined permits. DENR and NCIP also offer support frameworks for ESG-aligned projects.
Q18. How does EcoMetals align with the national industrial strategy?
A: EcoMetals Nextech’s modular NAL process is aligned with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) and the Minerals Development Council’s downstream strategy for critical minerals.
5. Mining in the Philippines and Contracts
Q19. What percentage of Philippine mining is under contract?
A: As of recent DENR data, only around 3% of the country's land area is covered by mining contracts. However, a significant portion of potential mineralised land remains unexplored or underdeveloped.
Q20. Who controls most of the mining operations in the Philippines?
A: Many operations are under local or Chinese-controlled firms, with significant portions of ore exported without in-country processing. The government is now pivoting to support Filipino-led, ESG-compliant downstream ventures.
6. ESG and Carbon Credits
Q21. How does the Eco Au/Ni NAL process support ESG principles?
A: The Eco Au/Ni NAL process is designed with ESG at its core. Environmentally, it uses a closed-loop nitric acid system that eliminates tailings ponds and minimises chemical discharge. Socially, it prioritises benefit-sharing with local and Indigenous communities through jobs, education, and infrastructure. In terms of governance, EcoMetals Nextech enforces strict compliance, transparency, and third-party audits to maintain investor and community trust.
Q22. Is the Eco Au/Ni NAL process eligible for carbon credits?
A: Yes. Due to its lower emissions footprint compared to HPAL and RKEF, the Eco Au/Ni NAL process may qualify for voluntary carbon market mechanisms. The integration of AI for emissions monitoring and the planned use of renewable energy further strengthens its eligibility.
Q23. How does EcoMetals plan to verify its ESG and emissions performance?
A: EcoMetals is working with international ESG auditors and carbon verification partners to certify its operations under globally recognised standards (e.g., GRI, TCFD, ISO 14001). AI + IoT sensors will provide real-time data on emissions, safety, and water usage, ensuring continuous compliance and data transparency.
Q24. Can investors benefit from carbon credits generated by the project?
A: Yes. Investors may have access to co-benefits such as carbon offset revenues or ESG-linked investment premiums. The project is also exploring blockchain-based carbon credit platforms for traceable and tradable ESG-linked assets.
7. Technical and Commercial Validation
Q25. Has the Eco Au/Ni NAL process been independently validated?
A: The process has undergone preliminary lab validation with metallurgists who have tested multiple ore types across seven processing plants. Advanced Feasibility and Pilot Plant deployment will validate its commercial readiness under Philippine conditions, aligned with JORC/NI 43-101 standards.
Q26. How is the Eco Au/Ni NAL process different from Altilium’s technology?
A: While both use nitric acid, EcoMetals Nextech is developing a novel flowsheet optimised for dual ores (laterite + gold-bearing ore) under tropical conditions, with new automation, acid recovery, and metal selectivity techniques. A full Freedom-To-Operate (FTO) study is underway to secure IP independence.
8. Community and Social License to Operate
Q27. How does EcoMetals engage Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and local communities?
A: We follow the FPIC (Free, Prior, and Informed Consent) process under NCIP guidelines and go beyond legal minimums by offering employment, equity sharing, training, and post-mining land restoration benefits to communities.
Q28. What happens to the land after mining and processing?
A: The EcoMetals model includes progressive rehabilitation and conversion of processed land into eco-agriculture, reforestation, or community infrastructure—ensuring long-term value for the region.
9. Investment & Risk Management
Q29. How is investor risk mitigated during early stages?
A: The Advanced Feasibility Study + Pilot Phase is a modular and de-risked entry point with a capped budget ($6M) and milestone-based deployment. Investors receive updates, governance participation, and phased investment pathways tied to performance.
Q30. What exit options or ROI pathways exist for investors?
A: Investors may benefit from equity appreciation, off-take agreements, carbon credit returns, or exit during Series A–C rounds or trade sales to end-users such as battery manufacturers or defence buyers.
10. Traceability and Circular Economy
Q31. Can the metals be traced from ore to end-product?
A: Yes. EcoMetals is building a blockchain-enabled traceability platform to provide full transparency from ore origin to processed metal, aligning with EU and US Critical Minerals Security Acts.
Q32. Is the process aligned with circular economy principles?
A: Absolutely. The NAL process is designed to recover all usable metals—including iron, manganese, and trace REEs—while regenerating acid and using AI to minimise waste, energy, and emissions.
11. Market and End-User Alignment
Q33. Who are the intended buyers of the processed materials?
A: EV battery manufacturers, portable energy storage companies, and industrial firms across Southeast Asia, the EU, and North America. Discussions with offtakers are underway to secure long-term contracts.
Q34. What minerals can be monetised from each tonne of ore?
A: Up to five monetisable outputs: Nickel, Cobalt, Gold, Scandium, and Iron—plus possible carbon credits. This multi-metal advantage improves revenue per tonne and investment returns.