Havana - The Cuban Geo-mining and Saltmine Business Group (GEOMINSAL) has produced 38,000 tons of zeolite in 2016 for key sectors, such as national fertilizer manufacturing, the entity reported today.

In statements to the news agency Prensa Latina, GEOMINSAL Deputy Director Maria Esperanza del Pozo highlighted that the reported production of that mineral for different uses answered to the State request of contributing to reduce imports.

The industry of fertilizers in the country consumes more zeolite every time, due to an increase in its productions, and also to the formulation of new assortments that contain higher percentage of the mineral, which has properties that increase agricultural outputs, said the deputy director.

She also said the interest in using that mineral in the production of animal food, water treatment, manufacturing of filters to purify the air and manufacturing of cement and other construction material has increased.

However, introduction of zeolite in different productive activities in the country is not yet as it should be, said GEOMINSAL Director General Fabio Jose Raimundo.

We are not able yet to be efficient in achieving different assortments of the mineral, something that is subject to technological transformations that require new investment.