OREANDA-NEWS. June 25, 2012. 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 tonnes left the Port of Beira today, bound for an Indian steel mill.
 
Rio Tinto Energy chief executive Doug Ritchie said "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.  
 
"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 per cent) and Tata Steel Limited (35 per cent).