[miningmx.com] — MOZAMBIQUE’S coal exports will more than double the contribution of mineral resources to the country’s GDP within three years, a senior government official said on Thursday.
The mineral resources sector, made up of electricity, heavy sands and natural resources, currently contributes around 3% to Mozambique’s gross domestic product, but that is expected to rise to 7% within three years.
“With the start of the coal exports out of the Moatize basin and other projects already licensed, we expect to double the contribution of this sector to national GDP, increasing its contribution to the development of the country,” Eduardo Alexandre, the National Director of Mines, told Reuters.
Despite some delays in refurbishment of the rail line between the Moatize basin and the export terminals, the government believes coal shipments out of the region, touted to become the next key coking coal hub in the world, would start later this year or early next year.
Mining companies active in Moatize include Brazil’s Vale and Rio Tinto .
