USGS releases Cuban mineral resources report

The USGS has announced the release of a new report, ‘Recent Trends in Cuba’s Mining and Petroleum Extraction Industries,’ following the recent thaw in diplomatic relations between the US and Cuba.

The report outlines Cuba’s mineral resources and related historical developments and economic trends, in addition to a map detailing the location of mines, mineral processing facilities and petroleum facilities.

According to the USGS report, Cuba’s industrial mineral resources include mined, volcanically-derived bentonite, feldspar, high-purity minerals, gypsum, kaolin, lime, high-grade limestone, marble and sand from carbonate terranes. Cement, steel, urea, ammonia and sulfuric acid are among the industrial mineral products manufactured in the country. Five cement plants are mentioned in the report: Cienfuegos plant; Nuevitas plant; Artemisa plant; Mariel plant; Siguaney plant.

Other highlights from the report include:

• The value of mining and quarrying activities accounted for 0.6% of Cuba’s GDP in 2013. This compares to 1.4% in 2000.
• The value of production from the country’s industrial manufacturing sector grew by 88% between 1993 and 2013. Over this period, the sector’s share in GDP contracted by 3%.
• In 2013, Cuba was among the top 10 producers of cobalt and nickel.

“Cuba’s geology is complex, and the country has a variety of mineral commodity and energy resources,” said Steven Fortier, Director of the USGS National Minerals Information Center. “It is important that the public and industry have the latest information on the status of the mineral industry and the potential for natural resource development in Cuba.”

The report can be found here.

Adapted from press release by Louise Fordham

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/the-americas/01042015/usgs-releases-cuba-mineral-resources-report-626/