Sherritt International said it will temporarily lay off approximately 280 employees, representing 47 percent of its Canadian workforce, as part of measures to preserve liquidity while it works toward restoring metals refining at its Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta refinery. The layoffs are expected to last approximately 90 days, although employees may be recalled earlier. Refining at Fort Saskatchewan ceased on June 22, 2026 after feed inventory was depleted; fertilizer and sulphuric acid production, maintenance and safety activities continue.
Sherritt suspended its direct participation in its Cuban joint venture on May 7, 2026 after the US administration’s Executive Order 14404 expanded sanctions against persons conducting business in Cuba, and it has operated under constrained liquidity since. It received the first of a series of anticipated OFAC emergency licences on October 19, 2026, covering fuel and sulfur supply to its Moa nickel operations in Cuba, and says further licences are still required before mining and processing in Cuba and refining in Canada can restart.