Press reports indicate that - on the back of environmental issues - the Philippines government has shut down 11 mines in the country, with 20 facing suspension. The country has 41 metallic mines, mostly nickel, along with copper and gold operations. The potential impact on the global nickel supply (and Ni price) could be significant. In 2015, the Philippines was the world’s number one producer (of primary nickel) accounting for some 21% of global supply.