Mining · Holguín

Moa Nickel + Cobalt Belt

Nickel/cobalt mining & processing

🟡 Joint ventureℹ️ Atlas — info only🚫 OFAC SDNConfiscated · no active suit

Scale

Cuba holds ~6% of world Ni reserves (USGS); Moa ~32,000 t Ni/yr

Status

Sherritt retains its 50% interest after reversing a planned dissolution on May 19, 2026, but its direct participation stays suspended — leaving Cuba's flagship nickel-cobalt complex without its Western operator. Recapitalization and restructuring opportunity with ownership unresolved.

Sector

Mining

Province

Holguín

Coordinates

20.650, -74.920

Layer

Layer 2 · Atlas

Notes

Strategic critical minerals (Ni, Co).

Controlling entity

Moa Nickel S.A. (Pedro Sotto Alba)🚫 SDN

Cuban Govt 50% + Sherritt (Canada) 50% nickel/cobalt JV. Moa Nickel S.A. is on the OFAC SDN List (long-standing CUBA listing; re-designated under E.O. 14404 on 7 May 2026), and the state nickel enterprises around it at Moa were designated in August–September 2026.

Helms-Burton · confiscated property

Confiscated · no active suit

Original owner (1960)

Moa Bay Mining Co. (Freeport Sulphur)

1972 certified value

$88.3M

Current claim-holder

Freeport lineage

Certified (FCSC)

Yes — certified claim

Title III status

none active

Sources: USGS · Splash247

Information only — no U.S. participation today. Register a non-binding indication for the pipeline (for non-U.S. capital or a post-sanctions world).

Not legal, tax or investment advice, and not authorization for any transaction. U.S. sanctions (31 CFR Part 515) prohibit investment or equity in any Cuban business; nothing here is a determination that a transaction is lawful. Structure anything Cuba-facing only with qualified OFAC sanctions counsel and screen every party with QvaPay Sentinel.

Primary sources: OFAC Cuba Sanctions · 31 CFR Part 515 (CACR) · OFAC Cuba FAQs · Cuba Restricted List