Rio Tinto has suspended the export of coal on the Sena Railway in Mozambique. According to Rachid Gogo, governor of Tete province, the decision was taken due to the instability in the region, brought about by the resurgence of former rebel movement Renamo National Resistance. Recent attacks on trucks have occurred, while a freight train was deliberately derailed on the Sena Line, which connects the mining areas of Tete to the port of Beira. The port is also used by the Brazilian multinational,Vale to export coal.
Despite this, production at Rio Tinto’s Benga mine, near the town of Tete, continues, although the company is contemplating the sale of all or part of its operations there.
Barry Cross