Sherritt International, the Canadian energy and metals group, reported the death of a worker at its Moa nickel-cobalt operation in Cuba after a fall from a ladder inside the mine. The incident underscores the critical emphasis the company places on safety across its global portfolio, and it prompted leadership to reiterate the need for a rigorous safety culture at every site where Sherritt operates. The chairman and chief executive officer, while expressing sadness, highlighted that the tragedy emphasizes why continuous improvement in health and safety standards must remain a top priority for the organization and its employees alike.
The company has stated that an immediate investigation is underway, conducted in coordination with Cuban authorities, to establish the sequence of events that led to the accident. This fatality marks the second such loss at a Cuban operation within a short span, following a separate incident in Moa earlier in the month. In response, Sherritt indicated that it and its local partners are implementing urgent safety measures and enhanced risk controls designed to protect workers, including heightened supervision, reinforced ladder and working-at-height protocols, and more robust hazard assessments in the mining environment. The leadership stressed that safeguarding the well-being of staff, contractors, and visitors is non-negotiable and central to all operational planning and execution in Moa.
Located at Moa in the eastern region of Cuba, the nickel-cobalt mine operates as a joint venture with General Nickel Company SA, each holding a longstanding stake in the project. The Moa operation processes nickel laterite ore extracted from the region and feeds a refinery network that supports Sherritt’s broader metal production and supply chain. In Canada, the same business ecosystem includes refining activities tied to the Fort Saskatchewan facility in Alberta, where finished nickel and cobalt products are prepared for markets that include North American automotive, aerospace, and consumer technologies. Beyond mining, Sherritt’s portfolio in Cuba extends to oil and gas exploration and production, a collaboration that began in the early 1990s and has diversified over time. The company’s engagement with Cupet and Energás reflects a broader regional strategy that also embraces electricity generation and energy infrastructure, enabling more resilient power supply in the Cuban energy landscape. As part of this expansive operation, Sherritt continues to explore opportunities across sectors such as agriculture and tourism, aligning its Cuban activities with national development goals while maintaining rigorous safety, environmental, and social governance standards that guide every project from exploration to production and downstream processing.