International: Rio Tinto makes first coal shipment from Mozambique

A leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, Rio Tinto has started exporting premium hard coking coal from its Benga Mine in the Moatize Basin in Mozambique.

The first shipment of 34,000 ton left the Port of Beira on June 25, bound for an Indian steel mill.

?Today?s shipment marks an important point in the phased development of our tier one coking coal resources in Mozambique. It is the first step towards our aim to become a significant supplier of hard coking coal to the seaborne market," Rio Tinto Energy chief executive Doug Ritchie said in press statement.

?The Moatize Basin is one of the most prospective coking coal regions in the world. We continue to evaluate the most effective means of developing our resources to create value for shareholders and bring benefits to the people of Mozambique."

?We are also continuing to work with the Government of Mozambique to secure the development of comprehensive infrastructure for efficient transport of coal from mine to port, which is a priority for the further development of the region.?

The Benga Mine, located in the Moatize Basin of Tete in the north of Mozambique, is operated by Rio Tinto and is a joint venture between Rio Tinto (65 percent) and Tata Steel Limited (35 percent).

Editing by Adianto P. Simamora