MAPUTO: Mozambique cast doubt on Friday on why global mining giant Rio Tinto has made a $3bn (£2.2bn) write-down on its Mozambican assets, which cost chief executive Tom Albanese his job.
The Anglo-Australian diversified miner said on Thursday that problems of transporting coal from its mines in Tete, 600km to the sea had lowered the value of the concession.
But Mozambique’s minerals ministry was not satisfied with the explanation. “I think something inside Rio Tinto motivated this,” said spokesman Custodio Nguetana.
“We are sure the reason will not only be infrastructure,” Nguetana said. “It is a general problem and we are trying to find solutions together — government and companies.”
Albanese and Doug Ritchie, who led the acquisition of the Mozambique assets, stood down on Thursday. AFP
