Coal terminal inaugurated at port of Beira in Mozambique
A new coal terminal is due Monday to be opened at the port of Beira in Mozambique’s Sofala province. The terminal is intended to export coal mined by Brazilian group Vale and Anglo-Australian group Rio Tinto, Mozambican daily newspaper Notícias reported.
The new terminal, construction of which began in September 2010, has so far needed investment of US$200 million, which includes engineering work, construction, mechanical and electrical work, as well as acquisition of equipment for processing and shipping coal and control of environmental quality.
In a statement port and rail management company Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique (CFM), the owner of the terminal, said that Vale and Rio Tinto would use the facility to process their coal over the next 60 months. The terminal is operated by Cornelder Moçambique.
Under the terms of its contract Cornelder can partner third parties that are experienced in handling bulk cargo, in order to optimise the capacity available at the terminal.
The coal terminal at the port of Beira is part of the investments carried out by CFM as part of the reconstruction of the Sena railroad, which is considered an essential corridor for carrying coal and other goods along the Zambezi Valley.
Vale will use 68 percent of the terminal’s capacity whilst Rio Tinto will use the remaining 32 percent.