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Cuba Estimates High Nickel Production in 2018

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fabrica niquel moaPhoto: Juan Pablo Carreras
 
"Cuba estimates to achieve a production of more than 50 thousand tons of nickel and cobalt in 2018," said in Moa Eder Manuel Olivero Garcel, director of the Niquel Business Group.
 
The executive said that Cuban nickel, one of the main sources of income for the island, faces the challenge of efficiency.
The Commanders Pedro Soto Alba and Ernesto Che Guevara nickel industries regularly need to undergo investments to modernize them, because otherwise it would not be possible to keep them in operation, he explained.

According to Olivero, the entry of new mining equipment has allowed revitalizing the mining operations in the Che Guevara nickel plant. However, is expected the arrival of other means to start and load in the mines.

Yosvani Aldana Espinosa, director of the industry, said that restoration of the roads affected by recent rainfall is a priority. Brigades are also working in the construction of three large platforms for minerals deposit and thus face possible weather effects.

According to Aldana, there is an investment of 50 million pesos for maintenance at main points in the plant. The actions are concentrated in the reduction furnaces, the dust collector systems, to minimize mineral losses and damages to the environment.

Other areas undergoing maintenance works are the leaching sedimentation tank and the power generator number three, the most modern in the plant.

This year, the production plan must exceed 19 thousand tons. In this regard, the staff training is vital, since nickel production demands young force.

The price of nickel, which is used to manufacture steel, special alloys and high-demand items such as batteries, mobile phones and automobiles, today exceed $ 14,000 per ton. Cuba exports to China, Europe and Canada. The immediate projection is aimed at seeking more metallurgical efficiency, reducing costs and diversifying production.