Cuba is a Caribbean island located between the North Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Cuba’s total area in land mass is 110,860 km2, whereas its total population is 10,966,038 as of 2024. The country’s climate is mostly tropical.1
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By 2020, Cuba’s gross domestic product (GDP) was approximately $107 billion USD.2 The natural resources of Cuba include nickel, iron ore, cobalt, chromium, silica, copper, salt, timber, and petroleum.1
Historical Context of Cuban Mining
Cuba's mining history dates back to colonization, beginning with Columbus’s 1492 records of mineral findings.
Early Spanish efforts focused on gold, but limited reserves led to a shift toward building materials and ship caulking substances. In 1534, the El Cobre copper deposit was discovered, marking the start of more significant mining activity.
The 19th century saw renewed interest in copper and iron mining, mainly by British and later American investors. However, mining was disrupted by the Ten Years’ War in 1868 and further transformed during the United States (US) occupation, when key mineral reserves were transferred to American companies.
Before 1959, most of Cuba’s mineral wealth was controlled by foreign firms. The 1959 Revolution nationalized these assets and restructured the industry under state control, later aligning with Soviet trade agreements. After the collapse of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in 1991, Cuba’s mining sector struggled, but efforts to revitalize it continue, with a focus on nickel and cobalt production in response to global demand.3,4
Current Mining Landscape in Cuba
The real GDP of Cuba declined by 1.9% in 2023, following a 1.9% increase in 2022. The mining and quarrying sector contributed 0.4% to the GDP, while employment in the sector dropped by 2.7% compared to 2022 to 21,400 workers, representing less than 1% of national employment.
In 2023, Cuba’s export value fell to around $63 million from $87 million in 2022, while imports declined to $359 million from $393 million. Mining products made up 33% of the country’s total exports.5
Zinc production rose by 12% to 58,000 metric tons from 52,000 metric tons in 2022, driven by increased output at the Castellanos Mine, owned by Empresa Minera del Caribe Santa Lucía S.A. Emincar, the only producer of lead and zinc in Cuba. Meanwhile, production declines were observed in crude petroleum by 44%, lime by 27%, cement by 24%, cobalt by 16%, nickel cobalt sulfide by 15%, raw steel by 13%, and sulfuric acid by 10%.5
In 2023, Cuba ranked sixth globally in zeolite production, accounting for about 7% of world output, and seventh in cobalt production, contributing approximately 1% of the global total. The country also produced diverse nonfuel minerals, including bentonite, limestone, feldspar, kaolin, cement, marble, gypsum, lead, lime, salt, raw steel, sulfuric acid, silica sand, and zinc. Cuba also extracted mineral fuels such as crude petroleum and natural gas.5
Key Mining Players
Most mining operations in Cuba were either government-owned or joint ventures with the Government. Emincar, a joint venture of state-owned Geominera S.A. and Trafigura Group of Singapore, produced lead and zinc.
Nickel and cobalt were made by state-owned Empresa de Níquel Comandante Ernesto Che Guevara and Moa Nickel S.A., a joint venture between the Government and Sherritt International.5
Mineral Resources
Cobalt, nickel, iron, and steel are Cuba's key resources.5
Iron and steel
Empresa Siderúrgica José Martí (Antillana de Acero), under a Cuba–Russia collaboration, launched phase 1 with a Russian‑built electric arc furnace in May 2023, aimed at producing about 62,000 t of billets by early 2024.
Phase 2 involves installing a new rolling mill to produce approximately 226,000 t of steel bars annually, with the complete modernization program slated for completion in 2024.5
Cobalt and nickel
In 2023, Moa Nickel continued mining lateritic ore using open-pit methods and processed it into mixed sulfide precipitate (MSP) containing nickel and cobalt at its facilities in Holguín Province.
The MSP was shipped by ocean freight to Canada and transported by rail to Sherritt’s refining facilities in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, where it was refined into nickel and cobalt.
Ore was sourced from multiple concessions, including Playa la Vaca-Zona Septentrional II, Camarioca Norte and Sur, Cantarrana, Santa Teresita, La Delta, Moa Occidental and Oriental, and Yagrumaje Oeste.5
As of December 31, 2023, Moa Nickel reported 114.1 million metric tons of proven and probable reserves with average grades of 1.01 percent nickel and 0.12 percent cobalt.
The mine life was estimated at about 25 years. In 2023, Sherritt produced 28,672 tons of nickel and 2,876 tons of cobalt from MSP imported from Cuba, down from 32,268 tons and 3,368 tons, respectively, in 2022.
For 2024, the company planned to produce 30,000 to 32,000 tons of nickel and 3,100 to 3,400 tons of cobalt. Sherritt’s expansion program aimed to boost MSP capacity by 20 percent by 2025, supported by a new slurry plant completed in late 2023 and Moa plant expansion expected by year-end 2024.5
Other resources
Crude oil production in Cuba fell to 26 BBL/D/1K in February 2025 from 27 BBL/D/1K in January. The long-term average since 1993 is 41.98, with a peak of 57.90 in 2004 and a low of 20.00 in 1993.6 Major cement facilities are located in Cienfuegos, Nuevitas, Mariel, Artemisa, and Siguaney.5
Technological Advancements
One of the key developments is the launch of the Cuban Technological Observatory by the Ministry of Energy and Mines.
Developed through collaboration between the Research Centre for the Mining - Metallurgical Industry, the Ministry of Energy and Mines, and the Central University of Las Villas "Martha Abreu", the observatory serves as a scientific tool to support decision-making and industrial development in the mining, geological, and energy sectors. It focuses on real-time analysis, monitoring, and communication of research and innovation outcomes, benefiting the Cuban energy and mining industries and national and international stakeholders.7
The Empresa de Cemento 26 de Julio is modernizing its Nuevitas plant in Camaguey Province, a project started in 2021 aimed at reducing fuel and energy use, lowering dust emissions, and boosting annual production capacity. Completion is expected by 2025.5
Government Regulations
Cuba’s mining sector is governed by the Mining Law (Law No. 76 of 1994), which defines mining activities from geological reconnaissance to mineral processing and sets regulations to ensure the protection and sustainable use of mineral resources.
The law also created the National Office of Mining Resources to oversee environmental preservation and impact mitigation. The Ministry of Energy and Mines (Law Decree No. 301 of 2012) directs government policy for the sector. Foreign investment is regulated under the Law of Foreign Investment (Law No. 118 of 2014).
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Unión Cuba-Petróleo (CUPET) oversees all aspects of petroleum exploration, production, and marketing.8,9
Environmental and Social Impact
In Cuba, provinces such as Holguín and Moa have suffered severe environmental damage from strip mining, especially nickel extraction. Mining has led to widespread destruction of vegetation, wildlife, and landforms, along with air, soil, and water pollution. Vast areas remain irreparable due to the absence of life. Residents near these mines face acute respiratory illnesses from persistent dust exposure.10,11
Studies show that Moa’s population is at higher risk of mortality from lung and cardiovascular diseases, largely due to emissions from nickel facilities. Over the past three decades, mining has devastated forests and marine ecosystems, eliminating traditional industries such as timber and fishing. Agricultural land degradation has also increased food prices, worsening the region’s quality of life.11
Challenges and Opportunities of Mining in Cuba
Cuba has extensive strategic minerals such as nickel and cobalt reserves, offering economic potential amid rising global demand for green technologies.
Increased prices could boost state revenues partly due to sanctions on Russia. However, limited capital restricts Cuba’s ability to expand mining and fully benefit.
Nickel is a key export, with zinc, copper, and iron also contributing. Cuba’s economic restrictions and difficulty attracting foreign investment limit its global role. Meanwhile, ethical and supply issues in cobalt production from the Democratic Republic of Congo create an opportunity for Cuba to become a more reliable supplier if it pursues reforms and investment.12
Future Outlook of Cuba’s Mining
Cuba’s mining industry is poised for gradual growth driven by rising global demand for nickel and cobalt, supported by planned expansions and modernization projects.
Increased foreign investment and technological advancements could enhance production capacity and sustainability. However, addressing environmental damage and securing capital remain critical for long-term, responsible development.
References and Further Reading
- Cuba [Online] Available at https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cuba/ (Accessed on 07 July 2025)
- GDP (current US$) [Online] Available at https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD?view=map (Accessed on 07 July 2025)
- Mining [Online] Available at https://www.minem.gob.cu/en/actividades/mining (Accessed on 07 July 2025)
- Investing in Cuba's Mining Industry [Online] Available at https://investingnews.com/investing-in-cubas-mining-industry/ (Accessed on 07 July 2025)
- The Mineral Industry of Cuba in 2023 [Online] Available at https://pubs.usgs.gov/myb/vol3/2023/myb3-2023-cuba.pdf (Accessed on 07 July 2025)
- Cuba Crude Oil Production [Online] Available at https://tradingeconomics.com/cuba/crude-oil-production (Accessed on 07 July 2025)
- New Cuban Technological Observatory of the Ministry of Energy and Mines [Online] Available at https://www.cadenagramonte.cu/detalle/en/40811/new-cuban-technological-observatory-of-the-ministry-of-energy-and-mines (Accessed on 07 July 2025)
- The Mineral Industry of Cuba in 2020-2021 [Online] Available at https://pubs.usgs.gov/myb/vol3/2020-21/myb3-2020-21-cuba.pdf (Accessed on 07 July 2025)
- Latin American Energy Policies [Online] Available at https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/la_energy_policies/44/ (Accessed on 07 July 2025)
- Maal-Bared, R. (2006). Comparing environmental issues in Cuba before and after the Special Period: Balancing sustainable development and survival. Environment International, 32(3), 349-358. DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2005.08.002, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0160412005001741
- Astorga, E. M., Caballero, R. L. T. (2025). The Cuban Nickel Industry Between Extractivism and Descarbonization: A Sector with Great Challenges. Journal of Energy and Natural Resources, 14. 19-28. DOI: 10.11648/j.jenr.20251402.11, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/391533683_The_Cuban_Nickel_Industry_Between_Extractivism_and_Descarbonization_A_Sector_with_Great_Challenges
- Andarcia, M.V. (2022) Cuba wants to increase nickel and cobalt production and take advantage of rising prices [Online] Available at https://en.unav.edu/web/global-affairs/cuba-quiere-aumentar-su-produccion-de-niquel-y-cobalto-y-aprovechar-el-alza-de-precios (Accessed on 07 July 2025)
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