It is reported that Atlas Consolidated Mining & Development Corporation is looking at reopening its nickel mine in Southern Luzon in 2010 to take advantage of the recovery in nickel prices. The miner is also studying the feasibility of putting up a processing plant to add value to the nickel ores they sell.

Mr Alfredo C Ramos chairman of Atlas Consolidated said that "I think they are going to resume soon as the interest in nickel is starting to go up again. Hopefully we will be mining again soon."

In February 2009, Atlas Consolidated closed the Berong nickel mine in Palawan, laying off more than 600 workers and retaining only 50 employees, due to low metal prices as a result of soft demand.

Mr Ramos said that if Berong Nickel Corporation resumed operations, the miner would still ship nickel ores to traditional markets like Japan, South Korea and China.

Mr Martin C Buckingham EVP & CFO of Atlas Consolidated said that "Our ambition is not only to be mining nickel ore but also processing metal ore so we can have value added product."

(Sourced from www.bworldonline.com)