The Transcom company specialising in training, consultancy and audit services for transports and communications plans to enhance the training of locomotive engineers who will drive trains that carry coal extracted by the Rio Tinto group in Mozambique’s Tete province, reports the Maputo-based daily Notícias.

Transcom is a private company under Mozambican law. Its shareholders include Fernave (pertaining to the CP – Comboios de Portugal group), TDM, Visabeira Moçambique, mCel (Moçambique Celular), Entreposto Moçambique, Mozambique Airlines (LAM) and Aeroportos de Moçambique.

The newspaper reports that 15 train drivers and 30 assistant drivers have been trained so far to transport coal from the Moatize Basin to the port of Beira, adding that by mid-2013 the number should increase to a total of 60 – 30 drivers and 30 assistant drivers.

Under terms of the contract signed by Rio Tinto Coal Moçambique and Transcom, for nearly a year 12 Portuguese train driver instructors will teach theoretical content as well as practical locomotive driving.

The training is part of an intense programme undertaken by Rio Tinto Coal Moçambique to educate and train Mozambican personnel in various areas. The company’s vocational training centre has already prepared more than 2,450 people in different areas running from heavy equipment operation, metalworking and mechanics to electricity.

Besides coal extraction, Rio Tinto Coal Moçambique is also preparing to build a thermo-electric power plant in Tete. Its main raw material will be coal from the Benga mine and the company’s future coal operations. (macauhub)