Nickel industrial process drives economic development in Cuba
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Photo: Juan Pablo Carreras / ACN
The industrial nickel process in Cuba is developed in a sustainable way, contributing to the national economy, respectful of the environment and with social responsibility.
In his speech on the TV program Mesa Redonda, the director of Mining of the Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem), Juan Ruiz, explained that the country has lateritic deposits, rich in iron, which also contain lithium and cobalt, located mainly in the Holguín regions of Moa, Nicaro, Mayarí and in the province of Camagüey.
He said that nickel is a mineral of great relevance to the world economy used in various industries and Cuba is considered the fifth reserve in the world.
Ruiz clarified that although it is estimated that nickel could run out in 17 years, the Caribbean nation has unexploited resources that could prolong its availability for more than a century.
Regarding the nickel market, he said that it is influenced by the geopolitical situation and at this time there is an impact due to the supply and demand of the silver mineral, which forces us to adapt to the times with austerity measures and restrictions to control production costs.
On the other hand, the general director of Cubaníquel, Leonardo Rene Rosell, explained that nickel is the main exportable item of the Island and although it is not transversal to the economy, its production contributes to the development of other sectors.
Rosell commented that metal production closed at 83.3 percent in 2024, export sales at 68, and income to the country at 75.6 percent. These results were influenced by the fall in nickel and cobalt prices internationally, as well as the three disconnections of the National Electroenergy System.
When addressing environmental management, Rosell highlighted the monitoring and waste treatment, reforestation and water recovery projects, with a commitment to continuous improvement in the treatment of emissions and waste.
Cuba has a set of legislations and regulations for the exercise of mining and its relationship with the environment, such as the National Office of Natural Resources (mining authority), the Mining Law and its Regulations, the recently approved Natural Resources and Environment law and a Mining Policy. (Source: ACN)
