US fuel blockade forces stoppage at key Cuban mine

Noa mine produces tens of thousands of tonnes of cobalt and nickel each year -- critical minerals used in the production of batteries and alloys.

Canada's Sherritt mining company said Tuesday it was halting key operations in Cuba due to a US-imposed fuel blockade, the latest blow to the island's faltering economy.

The Toronto-based firm said it "expects to pause mining operations" at the Noa nickel and cobalt mine, jointly owned with the Cuban government.

Noa is one of Cuba's largest industrial projects and an important source of revenue for the government.

The mine produces tens of thousands of tonnes of cobalt and nickel each year -- critical minerals used in the production of batteries and alloys.

Sherritt said it would have to "place the processing plant on standby within the next week".

"The Corporation has received notification that planned fuel deliveries for Moa will not be fulfilled and the timeline for resumption of deliveries is unknown at this time."

Cuba, already contending with years of crippling fuel shortages, has reached a breaking point after US President Donald Trump moved to starve the communist nation of oil.

The most important flow of crude from ally Venezuela dried up after the US overthrew its leader Nicolas Maduro and Trump has threatened tariffs on any other country stepping in to fill the breach.

To conserve energy, the government has announced a series of fuel rationing measures and slashed public transport.