Benga

Rio Tinto Coal Mozambique

Rio Tinto's 2011 acquisition of Riversdale brought with it a portfolio of coal assets in the Moatize basin in eastern, Tete province of Mozambique in South-Eastern Africa.

Mozambique's is one of the largest undeveloped coal regions in the world. The Benga and Zambeze mines fit with Rio Tinto's strategy of operating large, competitive, long-life mines.

We see Mozambique becoming a significant supplier of hard coking coal to the export market. Rio Tinto Coal Mozambique's Benga Project is preparing to put the first coal through its new coal preparation and handling plant by the end of January, ahead of its first coal shipment. Benga's first shipment is expected by the end of March.

The asset requires development and considerable investment in infrastructure that is already bringing benefits to the country. The 600 km (373 miles) Sena Railway has been rehabilitated and will carry the coal to the Port of Beira.

The port itself is being refurbished and a coal terminal constructed that will have a capacity of up to 20 million tonnes a year. We are also is investigating the potential of using the Zambeze River for barging the coal to the coast.

More than 28,300 people registered for employment with Rio Tinto Coal Mozambique of which 1,172 candidates have been trained and assessed in various building and civil trades. More than 700 trained candidates were placed with contractors to complete the construction of the Training Centre, and carried out work including bricklaying, plumbing, plastering, concreting, as well as general labour.

It is important to Rio Tinto to be able to provide opportunities for employment, economic benefit, education and improved standards of living in the communities in which the company operates.