Mozambique 11 Jan 2017: A peaceful new year
Good afternoon, and a Happy New Year - which has got off to a good start, with a ceasefire between Renamo and Frelimo. President Filipe Nyusi spoke with Afonso Dhlakama on 26 December and agreed a week-long ceasefire, which was then extended by 60 days on 2 January, and seems, more or less, to be being observed.
SEE: Nyusi and Dhlakama declare week-long Mozambique ceasefire
SEE: Mozambique leaders extend ceasefire for 60 days
This week began with bad news, however, for those residents of Maputo province who rely on state water company Águas de Maputo. Low water levels in the river Umbelúzi - combined, presumably, with inadequate infrastructure - mean that residents will only receive mains water every other day.
SEE: Maputo water supply to be cut off on alternate days
Vale and Mitsui are inching towards hitting their $2.7 billion financing target which will finally allow them to seal the deal to bring Mitsui into the Nacala Logistics Corridor. However, a rebound in the global price of coal could mean the terms of the deal need to be renegotiated again.
SEE: IFC plans $265m loans for Vale-Mitsui Mozambique project
Still on coal mining, Indian consortium ICVL is now trying to sell off its stockpile of thermal coal in smaller batches, after failing to find a buyer for half a million tonnes at the end of last year. The company needs to clear space before a planned restart of mining operations in the coming months.
SEE: Indian miner extends re-packaged Mozambique coal tender
And finally, long-running dispute over the expansion of Kenmare’s heavy sands mine in Nampula province has finally been resolved - to the satisfaction of neither party, it would seem.
SEE: Kenmare ordered to pay $5 million to Moma mine expansion contractor
Have a great week.
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