| Cuba has a history of mining extending over a period | | | | and accounting for 8% of the world's cobalt |
| of three hundred years. During the period 1900 to | | | | production. Cuban mineral production is largely state |
| 2002, mining was a permanent activity, and during | | | | controlled, although the government has made steps |
| WWII the mining of manganese, some copper, and | | | | to amend the mineral laws and legislation, which will |
| nickel was most important. The nickel resource | | | | hopefully change the industry's structure. In 1993, |
| comes from extensive laterite deposits that are | | | | Geominera was formed as a private company utilizing |
| considered among the largest reserves in the world, | | | | state funds. Geominera focuses on gold and base |
| ranking alongside Canada, Russia, Australia and New | | | | metal exploration, whilst foreign investors are |
| Caledonia. Cuba is also an important nickel and cobalt | | | | currently developing nickel/cobalt and gold resources. |
| producer, ranking sixth in the world in terms of nickel | | | | |