Vale coal train attacked in central Mozambique

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Vale coal train attacked in central Mozambique

1:53 CAT | 26 Jul 2016

File photo

A Vale mining company train was attacked on Monday, July 25, in Becanta, Cheringoma district, in central Mozambique, nearly three weeks after it resumed circulation, interrupted following two consecutive ambushes in early June.

The driver and a security guard in the train transporting coal from Moatize to Beira suffered slight injuries, following the attack, which has been attributed to armed Renamo men.

Cheringoma administrator, José Domingos, revealed that the two had only bruises, but considered the attack an “economic sabotage” with serious implications.

Vale had resumed the transportation of coal from Moatize to the port of Beira on June 27.

This new attack is understood by the executive director of state-owned Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique (CFM) as the corollary of new economic losses. Candido Jone, manager of the Sena line, added that there is work to be done to ensure safety on the section of the railway.

In the two weeks the movement of trains was interrupted, 68 train loads from Vale Mozambique were prevented from circulating, which amounted to more than 30 billion meticais in losses to CFM, which is in charge of the railway line and the coal handling premises.

The Brazilian mining company is one of the major customers of CFM, along the Sena line.

Source: Lusa