The Cuban Nickel Industry Between Extractivism and Descarbonization: A Sector with Great Challenges

Eglis Martin Astorga; Rafael Lodezma Tamayo Caballero

doi:doi:10.11648/j.jenr.20251402.11

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The Cuban Nickel Industry Between Extractivism and Descarbonization: A Sector with Great Challenges

Eglis Martin Astorga^*

, Rafael Lodezma Tamayo Caballero

Published in Journal of Energy and Natural Resources (Volume 14, Issue 2)

Received: 19 March 2025 Accepted: 10 April 2025 Published: 29 April 2025

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Abstract

The exploitation of mineral resources occupies a significant role in the current debate on sustainable development for any country. In underdeveloped countries such as Cuba, the extraction and export of nickel is one of the activities that has played an important role in the national economy. Introduction: From 1990 onwards, this sector underwent a restructuring process that marked a starting point for its resizing. A joint venture was created with Sherritt International and one of the production plants was integrated into the global mining value chains. Nevertheless, an extractivist model persists in this activity, characterised by the export of primary products with low added value, high environmental impact at the territorial level and the prevalence of an enclave conception that limits the articulation and productive linkage with the national market. Objective: The aim of this article is to reflect on the transition of the Cuban nickel industry towards another development model that goes beyond extractivist practices. Methodology: From a critical perspective, it analyses the theoretical debate surrounding the sustainable development of mining and extractivism. Results: It is argued that policies to overcome extractivism should prioritise three directions: the promotion of strategies that encourage Foreign Direct Investment, the articulation of the territory to these strategies and the urgent generation of productive chains as the main concluding idea. Conclusion: Overcoming extractivism is assumed to be a sustainable development strategy that integrates several dimensions; it is considered a process deliberately conceived and managed by society to compensate for the damage caused to the environment. General study area: (Social Sciences). Specific study area: (Extractivism).

Published in	Journal of Energy and Natural Resources (Volume 14, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.jenr.20251402.11
Page(s)	19-28
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Extractivism, Sustainable Development, Nickel Industry, Mining Explotation, Production Chain

References

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[3]	Acosta, A. (2018) “Postextractivism: from discourse to practice - Reflections for action”, quote 30. https://scholar.google.com.mx/scholar
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[5]	Spain Export and Investment (SIE) (2022). Nickel in Cuba. Economic and Commercial Office of the Embassy of Spain in Havana. https://www.icex.es/content/dam/es/icex/oficinas/060/documentos/2022/11/documentos-anexos/ficha-sector-niquel-cuba-2022.pdf
[6]	Marquetti, H. (2002). “Cuba: process of restructuring and recovery of the Nickel Industry”. Boletín Economía y Gerencia en Cuba: Avances de Investigación. Quarterly Bulletin of the Center for the Study of the Cuban Economy (CEEC) 2, Havana, Cuba, pp. 31-45. https://www.researchgate.net/profile
[7]	Pérez, O. E. (2012). “Structural challenges in the productive sector.”In: Vidal Alejandro, P., Pérez Villanueva, O. E. (comp.) Miradas a la economía cubana: el proceso de actualización (3.ed.). Editorial Caminos, Havana. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/378174208_MIRADAS-ECONOMIA-CUBANA
[8]	National Office of Statistics and Information (NOSI) (2016). Statistical Yearbook of Cuba 2015. http://www.onei.cu/
[9]	Suárez S., Molina, E., Maldonado, G. (2011). “Atmospheric pollution and potentially related causes of mortality in the municipality of Moa”. Hig. Sanid. Ambient, Havana, 11, pp. 793-801. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287808748
[10]	Communist Party of Cuba (CPC) (2017). “Conceptualization of the Cuban Economic and Social Model of Socialist Development”, Havana. https://www.google.com/+Modelo+Econ%C3%B3mico+y+Social+Cubano+de+Desarrollo+Socialista%E2%80%9D
[11]	Communist Party of Cuba (CPC) (2017). “National Economic and Social Development Plan to 2030: Proposed vision of the nation, axes and strategic sectors”, Havana. https://www.google.com/+Modelo+Econ%C3%B3mico+y+Social+Cubano+de+Desarrollo+Socialista%E2%80%9D
[12]	Romero, A. (2021). “Cuba 2020. The external economic scenario and its perspectives”. In: Torres Ricardo and Echevarría Dayma, (comp.) Miradas a la economía cubana: Elementos claves para la sostenibilidad. Editorial Ruth Casa, Havana. pp 5-20. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/378174208_MIRADAS-ECONOMIA-CUBANA
[13]	Torres, R. (2021). “Export performance in Cuba. Towards more effective policies for the promotion of exports”. In: Torres Ricardo and Echevarría Dayma, (comp.) Miradas a la economía cubana: Elementos claves para la sostenibilidad. Editorial Ruth Casa, Havana. pp 53-68. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/378174208_MIRADAS-ECONOMIA-CUBANA
[14]	Rodríguez, J. (2024). Evolution of the international economy and its impact on Cuba”. In Rodríguez, José Luis and Pichs Ramón (comp.), Resumen sobre la evolución de la economía mundial en el primer semestre de 2024. CIEM. Collective of authors pp 150-173. http://www.ciem.cu/informe/
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APA Style

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(2), 19-28. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jenr.20251402.11

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ACS Style

Astorga, E. M.; Caballero, R. L. T. The Cuban Nickel Industry Between Extractivism and Descarbonization: A Sector with Great Challenges. J. Energy Nat. Resour. 2025, 14(2), 19-28. doi: 10.11648/j.jenr.20251402.11

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AMA Style

Astorga EM, Caballero RLT. The Cuban Nickel Industry Between Extractivism and Descarbonization: A Sector with Great Challenges. J Energy Nat Resour. 2025;14(2):19-28. doi: 10.11648/j.jenr.20251402.11

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@article{10.11648/j.jenr.20251402.11,
  author = {Eglis Martin Astorga and Rafael Lodezma Tamayo Caballero},
  title = {The Cuban Nickel Industry Between Extractivism and Descarbonization: A Sector with Great Challenges
},
  journal = {Journal of Energy and Natural Resources},
  volume = {14},
  number = {2},
  pages = {19-28},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jenr.20251402.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jenr.20251402.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jenr.20251402.11},
  abstract = {The exploitation of mineral resources occupies a significant role in the current debate on sustainable development for any country. In underdeveloped countries such as Cuba, the extraction and export of nickel is one of the activities that has played an important role in the national economy. Introduction: From 1990 onwards, this sector underwent a restructuring process that marked a starting point for its resizing. A joint venture was created with Sherritt International and one of the production plants was integrated into the global mining value chains. Nevertheless, an extractivist model persists in this activity, characterised by the export of primary products with low added value, high environmental impact at the territorial level and the prevalence of an enclave conception that limits the articulation and productive linkage with the national market. Objective: The aim of this article is to reflect on the transition of the Cuban nickel industry towards another development model that goes beyond extractivist practices. Methodology: From a critical perspective, it analyses the theoretical debate surrounding the sustainable development of mining and extractivism. Results: It is argued that policies to overcome extractivism should prioritise three directions: the promotion of strategies that encourage Foreign Direct Investment, the articulation of the territory to these strategies and the urgent generation of productive chains as the main concluding idea. Conclusion: Overcoming extractivism is assumed to be a sustainable development strategy that integrates several dimensions; it is considered a process deliberately conceived and managed by society to compensate for the damage caused to the environment. General study area: (Social Sciences). Specific study area: (Extractivism).
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Cuban Nickel Industry Between Extractivism and Descarbonization: A Sector with Great Challenges

AU  - Eglis Martin Astorga
AU  - Rafael Lodezma Tamayo Caballero
Y1  - 2025/04/29
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jenr.20251402.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.jenr.20251402.11
T2  - Journal of Energy and Natural Resources
JF  - Journal of Energy and Natural Resources
JO  - Journal of Energy and Natural Resources
SP  - 19
EP  - 28
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7404
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jenr.20251402.11
AB  - The exploitation of mineral resources occupies a significant role in the current debate on sustainable development for any country. In underdeveloped countries such as Cuba, the extraction and export of nickel is one of the activities that has played an important role in the national economy. Introduction: From 1990 onwards, this sector underwent a restructuring process that marked a starting point for its resizing. A joint venture was created with Sherritt International and one of the production plants was integrated into the global mining value chains. Nevertheless, an extractivist model persists in this activity, characterised by the export of primary products with low added value, high environmental impact at the territorial level and the prevalence of an enclave conception that limits the articulation and productive linkage with the national market. Objective: The aim of this article is to reflect on the transition of the Cuban nickel industry towards another development model that goes beyond extractivist practices. Methodology: From a critical perspective, it analyses the theoretical debate surrounding the sustainable development of mining and extractivism. Results: It is argued that policies to overcome extractivism should prioritise three directions: the promotion of strategies that encourage Foreign Direct Investment, the articulation of the territory to these strategies and the urgent generation of productive chains as the main concluding idea. Conclusion: Overcoming extractivism is assumed to be a sustainable development strategy that integrates several dimensions; it is considered a process deliberately conceived and managed by society to compensate for the damage caused to the environment. General study area: (Social Sciences). Specific study area: (Extractivism).

VL  - 14
IS  - 2
ER  -

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Author Information

Eglis Martin Astorga

Social Sciences Department, University of Moa, Holguin, Cuba

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6195-8587
Rafael Lodezma Tamayo Caballero

Physics Department, University of Moa, Holguin, Cuba

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7633-5005

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APA Style

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(2), 19-28. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jenr.20251402.11

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ACS Style

Astorga, E. M.; Caballero, R. L. T. The Cuban Nickel Industry Between Extractivism and Descarbonization: A Sector with Great Challenges. J. Energy Nat. Resour. 2025, 14(2), 19-28. doi: 10.11648/j.jenr.20251402.11

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AMA Style

Astorga EM, Caballero RLT. The Cuban Nickel Industry Between Extractivism and Descarbonization: A Sector with Great Challenges. J Energy Nat Resour. 2025;14(2):19-28. doi: 10.11648/j.jenr.20251402.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.jenr.20251402.11,
  author = {Eglis Martin Astorga and Rafael Lodezma Tamayo Caballero},
  title = {The Cuban Nickel Industry Between Extractivism and Descarbonization: A Sector with Great Challenges
},
  journal = {Journal of Energy and Natural Resources},
  volume = {14},
  number = {2},
  pages = {19-28},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jenr.20251402.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jenr.20251402.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jenr.20251402.11},
  abstract = {The exploitation of mineral resources occupies a significant role in the current debate on sustainable development for any country. In underdeveloped countries such as Cuba, the extraction and export of nickel is one of the activities that has played an important role in the national economy. Introduction: From 1990 onwards, this sector underwent a restructuring process that marked a starting point for its resizing. A joint venture was created with Sherritt International and one of the production plants was integrated into the global mining value chains. Nevertheless, an extractivist model persists in this activity, characterised by the export of primary products with low added value, high environmental impact at the territorial level and the prevalence of an enclave conception that limits the articulation and productive linkage with the national market. Objective: The aim of this article is to reflect on the transition of the Cuban nickel industry towards another development model that goes beyond extractivist practices. Methodology: From a critical perspective, it analyses the theoretical debate surrounding the sustainable development of mining and extractivism. Results: It is argued that policies to overcome extractivism should prioritise three directions: the promotion of strategies that encourage Foreign Direct Investment, the articulation of the territory to these strategies and the urgent generation of productive chains as the main concluding idea. Conclusion: Overcoming extractivism is assumed to be a sustainable development strategy that integrates several dimensions; it is considered a process deliberately conceived and managed by society to compensate for the damage caused to the environment. General study area: (Social Sciences). Specific study area: (Extractivism).
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Cuban Nickel Industry Between Extractivism and Descarbonization: A Sector with Great Challenges

AU  - Eglis Martin Astorga
AU  - Rafael Lodezma Tamayo Caballero
Y1  - 2025/04/29
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jenr.20251402.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.jenr.20251402.11
T2  - Journal of Energy and Natural Resources
JF  - Journal of Energy and Natural Resources
JO  - Journal of Energy and Natural Resources
SP  - 19
EP  - 28
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7404
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jenr.20251402.11
AB  - The exploitation of mineral resources occupies a significant role in the current debate on sustainable development for any country. In underdeveloped countries such as Cuba, the extraction and export of nickel is one of the activities that has played an important role in the national economy. Introduction: From 1990 onwards, this sector underwent a restructuring process that marked a starting point for its resizing. A joint venture was created with Sherritt International and one of the production plants was integrated into the global mining value chains. Nevertheless, an extractivist model persists in this activity, characterised by the export of primary products with low added value, high environmental impact at the territorial level and the prevalence of an enclave conception that limits the articulation and productive linkage with the national market. Objective: The aim of this article is to reflect on the transition of the Cuban nickel industry towards another development model that goes beyond extractivist practices. Methodology: From a critical perspective, it analyses the theoretical debate surrounding the sustainable development of mining and extractivism. Results: It is argued that policies to overcome extractivism should prioritise three directions: the promotion of strategies that encourage Foreign Direct Investment, the articulation of the territory to these strategies and the urgent generation of productive chains as the main concluding idea. Conclusion: Overcoming extractivism is assumed to be a sustainable development strategy that integrates several dimensions; it is considered a process deliberately conceived and managed by society to compensate for the damage caused to the environment. General study area: (Social Sciences). Specific study area: (Extractivism).

VL  - 14
IS  - 2
ER  -

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