Reuters reported that Cuba's unrefined nickel plus cobalt production appears to have been between 60,000 and 65,000 tonnes in 2009, the lowest in a decade. Cuba produced 70,400 tonnes of unrefined nickel and cobalt in 2008, after averaging between 74,000 and 75,000 tonnes during much of the decade.

While production at Canadian mining company Sherritt International's nickel venture in Cuba topped 37,000 tonnes, output at two plants owned by state run Cubaniquel was well below capacity. Cuba has not announced this year's nickel output, with officials simply stating it was less than the 70,000 tonnes planned.

Mr Jorge Cuevas Ramos, the first secretary of the Communist Party in Holguin, said that "The Pedro Soto Alba plant met this year's plan, producing more than 37,000 tonnes of nickel, and remains open."

There was no mention of output at the country's third and oldest plant, the Rene Ramos Latourt at Nicaro Holguin, which has a capacity of 10,000 to 15,000 tonnes and is also operated by Cubaniquel.

Cuba's National Minerals Resource Center reported that eastern Holguin province accounted for more than 30% of the world's known nickel reserves, with lesser reserves in other parts of the country.

(Sourced from www.reuters.com)