Nickel, one of Cuba's most important economic sectors, consolidated its position as the island's main export in 2007, said the Minister of the Basic Industry (MINBAS), Yadira Garcia, during a meeting with workers and executives of the sector in Moa, in the eastern province of Holguin.

Garcia noted that these achievements were the result of the stability, adequate operation and productive management reached by the nickel industry on the island.

The minister and participants in the meeting also discussed the strategy to continue looking for productive reserves and to achieve a higher efficiency in the extraction of nickel and in its processing as a finished product.

Garcia also stressed the importance of continuing with the training of highly qualified personnel and protecting the environment with the reforestation and rehabilitation of areas affected by mining activities, among other initiatives.

The production of nickel in Cuba is concentrated in the factories Rene Ramos Latour of Nicaro, and the Pedro Soto Alba and Ernesto Che Guevara in Moa, both in Holguin province.

In 2007, the Cubaniquel business group, comprised of 19 productive and service companies, made the biggest contribution of its history to the national budget.

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