Análisis y perspectivas de la producción de yeso en Cuba

Abstract

Since distant times gypsum has coexisted alongside with the humanity and it is one of the oldest building materials. It is also used in decoration works, medicine and light industry. The quality of gypsum products manufactured with high technology in other countries makes of gypsum a valuable material due to its cost-effective production. Although Cuba has this prized resource, there are not short-term investment plans in sight, thus there are not real perspectives for its exploitation. In this paper, the current national status of gypsum production is analyzed and the potentialities and development of the material are assessed. The implementation of cutting-edge technologies would definitely help achieve high-quality productions so as to build a worldwide competitive gypsum industry. It has been proven that gypsum mineral extracted from Matanzas mines can be used to manufacture all gypsum types: construction, modeling and special gypsums. Thus, special gypsum import could be replaced by a national raw material and the growing needs of the potential tourist industry would be met. This product is in demand in health care system as dental and orthopedic plaster and in agriculture as soil neutralizing fertilizer. The country would have an opportunity for competition in the international market where special gypsum is in high demand. Such productions would have great impact in the domestic economy by contributing to obtain new export rubles.