A new coal deposit holding between 30 million and 40 million tons in reserves has been discovered in Mozambique .

The Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy recently announced the uncovering of the coalfield during a survey in the Mutarara district of Tete province, Macauhub reports.

The deposit, which has a potential lifespan of 15 to 20 years, could produce an estimated two million tons of coal a year. Latest figures by Mining Technology indicate that the discovery surpasses that of Minas Moatize, one of the country’s largest coal mines which holds about 25 million tons in proven reserves.

According to Export.gov, Mozambique is home to some of the world’s largest untapped coal deposits. Tete province alone contains several large coal mines, including Benga, one of the largest on the continent.

9 July 2019
Image: Alamy