Coal is a natural resource found underground that is used in power plants in order to generate electricity. According to a 2010 report conducted in cooperation with the Republic of the Philippines and the U.S. Department of Energy, the Philippines has 19 major coal districts. These districts are estimated to contain more than 2,268.4 million metric tons of this raw material. The largest deposit of coal is located in the Semirara district of the Philippines. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), some coal deposits contain methane, which may also be used for fuel.
The Philippines has more than 3.9 trillion cubic feet of proved natural gas reserves, almost all of which is located in a single area. Shell and Chevron are the largest owners of the Malampaya natural gas field, which provides 2.7 gigawatts of power. According to Forum Energy, the natural gas reserves of the Malampaya field may be understated. Forum Energy estimates this field to hold more than 20 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
The Philippines has ample supplies of natural resources deposited in the form of metals. Metals that are fairly rare on this archipelago include silver and raw steel. According to former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal, the Philippines has the third-largest nickel deposits in the world. Phillipines produced roughly 2 percent of the world gold supply in 2006, while producing more than 16,323 metric tons of copper in 2005, according to Index Mundi.
According to the website Philippine History, the Philippines has abundant deposits of lime, marble, and cement, which can be used in construction. This country also has abundant natural resource deposits of feldspar, asphalt, talc, and asbestos. The Republic of the Philippines also contains ample deposits of silicon, which is used in fiberglass and electronic boards, and phosphates, which are used for fertilizer.
