The Sena rail line’s operations were disrupted in Q2 2013 by potters seeking further compensation after leaving their homes for mine development. This was the second such interruption in May. Now however, “the coal mine has been unlocked, allowing normal movement of workers, and restoring the coal flow,” local company representatives based in the capital of Maputo said in an emailed statement quoted by Bloomberg News. The potters withdrew after Vale promised negotiations, according to one of their representatives.
Workers at 60 potteries first resettled in Cateme, 37 miles away from the Moatize mine, in Q2 2012 and protested over lost pay stemming from unemployment. Vale officials said their compensation of $1,980/oven was sufficient.
Vale is investing $4.4 billion in rail and port facilities in Mozambique to export coal from Moatize.
