Brazilian mining company, Vale says it is doubling its coal production in Mozambique as it launches the second mining phase which is expected to see output hit 17 million tons.

“The mining group plans to double production to about 17 million tons of metallurgical coal and 5 million tons of thermal coal over the next
two years,” an official with Mozambique’s Tete Province said.

Vale launched operations at the Moatize coal mine in the interior province of Tete in August 2011 and also started rehabilitating existing, and
constructing new railway tracks the Nacala Railway Corridor to transport its coal to the port for export.

If completed Nacala Railway Corridor will run for 912 km, and will result in coal with a capacity of 18-million tonne per year being
transported.

In April this year Vale temporarily suspended transportation of coal using Sena railway line after a train conductor was injured in an attack that the Mozambican authorities blamed on rebel group Renamo.

The Nacala port is also being upgraded with a new coal terminal to handle products that will come its way once the railway is finished.

By George Mpofu