Nacala Railway Line

<p>The Nacala Railway Corridor Project will transport approximately 18 million tons of coal, derived from the expansion of Moatize Mine (Mozambique) through a railway system connecting the existing mine in Moatize to a new coal terminal in Nacala Velha (Mozambique). The project was funded by Vale, and has the potential of being developed into a transport corridor for Mozambique&#39;s Tete Province, and potentially Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The railway line is located in the north-western region of Mozambique, starting at Moatize in the Tete Province, going through Malawi and connecting to the existing railway network at Nkaya Junction. From here the route follows the exisitng alignment through Entre Lagos, Cuamba and Nampula. Finally, in the region of Monapo, the railway follows a new route up to the new coal terminal at Nacala Velha. Aurecon previously developed FEL 1, 2 and 3 (Front End Loading) studies for the development of the corridor. The Detail Design (FEL4), included the design of the entire railway line and its associated infrastructure from the mine loadout station to the car dumper at the proposed new port terminal at Nacala Velha. The railway line is designed for a 20.5t axle load. Apart from providing an export conduit for the client, the rail corridor will have direct- and indirect social benefits to the larger community in terms of job creation, improved mobility (passenger train services) and the economic development of the region.</p>