Sherritt International will implement temporary layoffs lasting about 90 days, a consequence of disruptions to its refining operations stemming from insufficient feed inventory at its Moa mine in Cuba.
The company had earlier halted refining activities at its Alberta plant after exhausting supplies from the Cuban mine, leading to complications for its production processes.
The suspension of refining operations was a direct result of the depletion of feed inventory, which is essential for the company’s production activities, and the company is now working to address the supply constraints and restore normal operations.
Sherritt Announces Temporary Layoffs for 280 Employees
Although the workforce is being reduced, Sherritt has stated that specific activities will carry on throughout the layoff period.
These involve the manufacturing and selling of ammonia fertilizer and sulphuric acid, along with maintenance efforts and ongoing environmental and workplace safety initiatives.
The continuation of these essential activities indicates that the company is committed to maintaining some level of operational capacity, even as it works through the challenges posed by the supply disruptions.
Cuba Mine Disruptions Behind Alberta Refinery Shutdown
The company relies on feed inventory from its Cuban mining and processing operations to support its refining activities in Alberta.
However, the Moa joint venture’s operations were suspended due to fuel shortages in Cuba, which impacted the availability of materials required for Sherritt’s Canadian refinery.
The problem intensified after the United States imposed restrictions on Cuba’s access to Venezuelan oil supplies in January 2026.
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The resulting fuel shortages had a significant impact on industrial activities in Cuba, including the Moa mine and processing facilities, and ultimately contributed to the suspension of operations at the joint venture.
US License Offers Potential Path to Restart Moa Operations
There may be some progress toward resolving the supply challenges.
Last month, Sherritt announced that it had received a licence from the US government authorizing the purchase and delivery of fuel to its Moa mine and processing operations in Cuba.
The authorization represents an important step toward potentially restarting operations at the joint venture.
The recent US government licence provides a potential route for securing fuel supplies, but additional authorizations will be required before operations can fully restart.
For now, the company is proceeding with temporary layoffs affecting approximately 280 Canadian employees as it works through the operational challenges.
The coming months will be important in determining whether the required fuel supplies and regulatory approvals can be secured to support the restart of the Moa joint venture and the eventual restoration of refining operations in Fort Saskatchewan.
Source: The Canadian Press, November 4, 2026.
