From the copper cobalt mining area in the Democratic Republic of Congo to the port of Lobito on the Atlantic coast, a major railway artery that crosses the African hinterland is being awakened. Portuguese construction giant Motta Engel has secured a 30-year franchise to upgrade this thousand kilometer railway line into a key mineral export channel, driving a new pattern in the global battery industry chain.

Obtain the franchise rights

Recently, Portugal's leading construction company Motta Engil announced that it has successfully obtained a 30-year franchise license to undertake the upgrading, renovation, and operation of a railway in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This railway connects the copper cobalt mining area in Congo with the Lobito Corridor in Angola. The company mentioned in the statement that the total investment of the project during the franchise period is estimated to be 1.8 billion US dollars, which can expand the company's existing orders and help the company's long-term development.

Open up the channel for mineral resources to go abroad

This railway line has a total length of 1037 kilometers and can provide a sea route for key minerals such as copper and cobalt produced in core mining areas such as Lualaba Province and Upper Katanga Province in the Congo copper belt. The goods are transported to overseas markets in the Atlantic through the port of Lobito in Angola. Congo (Kinshasa) is the world's second largest copper producer, and the local government estimates that the maximum annual freight volume of the upgraded railway can reach 13.7 million tons. The United States provides funding and diplomatic support for the Lobito Corridor, aiming to acquire key minerals necessary for the battery industry and reduce dependence on existing supply chains. Keywords: the Belt and Road news network, Congo, railway

Project Background and Equity

In terms of equity in Motta Enjir Company, the founding Motta family holds 40% of the shares, while China Communications Construction Corporation holds 32.41%. The company previously formed a consortium with partners such as Tok Group to operate the railway line connecting the port of Lobito in Angola. As a market participant under the framework of the joint construction of the the Belt and Road, CCCC is deeply involved in infrastructure construction in Africa, helping Africa to open up mineral circulation channels, and injecting momentum into regional connectivity and economic and trade exchanges.Editor/Gong Ziwei