Mining clearance certificates hold up Spoornet’s Maputo plans

LEONARD NEILL SPOORNET IS still awaiting the green light to commence work on the rehabilitation of the line linking the South African border post at Lebombo to Maputo. The rail utility cannot proceed until it receives mining clearance certificates from the Mozambique government. “We have been made aware that these certificates are now ready, but until we have them in our hands there is nothing we can do,” says chief executive Dolly Mokgatle. “We understand that the 80km length of the concessioned line will be worked on for controlled distances, each of which will have a separate certificate stating that all mines in each area have been cleared. “Improvements to the line will allow a greater volume of traffic to move from South Africa to Maputo. But nothing can happen until these are in our hands.”