Technology: The railway will employ standard gauge (1,435mm) technology with design appropriate for heavy mineral transport, including considerations for axle load, gradient, and curvature.
Capacity: Approximately 700 km of standard gauge railway connecting Mtwara Port, Mbamba Bay, Liganga, and Mchu...

The project is expected to utilize a resource-backed financing approach with: potential public-private partnership structure linking railway development to mineral extraction rights; sovereign financing through development finance institutions; bilateral financing linked to mining investment; and possible mineral off-taker investment in transport infrastructure.

The railway will primarily serve the Liganga iron ore deposits (estimated reserves of 1.2 billion tons) and Mchuchuma coal deposits (estimated reserves of 428 million tons). Current transportation constraints make extraction economically unviable, but with railway access, production potential is estimated at 3-5 million tons of iron ore and 2-3 million tons of coal annually.

Significant opportunities exist for private sector participation in integrated mining-railway operations, with potential models including: mining concessions with railway development obligations; BOT arrangements for railway infrastructure; operations and maintenance concessions; and equipment supply and maintenance services.

Sponsor: Tanzania Railways Corporation, Tanzania Ministry of Minerals
Partners: Tanzania Railways Corporation, Tanzania Ministry of Minerals, Tanzania Ports Authority, National Dev...