THE TAN-ZAM RAILROAD: FEASIBLE ROUTE FOR ZAIRIAN COPPER?

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00875R001900010214-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 23, 2006
• Sequence Number: 214
• Publication Date: March 1, 1974
• Content Type: REPORT

 25X1
Approved Fur MI
A new route for the export of Zairian copper conceivably
will be available upon completion of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway
(Tan-Zam) and improvements underway at the Tanzanian port of
Dar-es-Salaam. The new route, however, will not achieve announced
initial operating capability immediately upon completion, but
will experience a gradual build-up during 1975-78 to a capability
of well over a million tons each way per year -- more than adequ -
ate to handle Zairian copper exports in addition to Zambian re-
quirements. A gradual diversion of Zairian copper from Lobito
to Dar-es-Salaam is indicated and the business should receive a
warm welcome by Zambia and Tanzania.
Summary
ase 2006/09/26.: CIA-RDP85T00875R0b1Jb-M411-W 4
'.Ih Tan-Zam Rai road: Feasible Route for Zairian Copper?
Some 400,000 tons a year of Zairian copper exports, now
moving primarily via the Lobito route through Angola, conceivably
could be diverted to the more politically acceptable route to
the Tanzanian port of Dar-es-Salaam via the soon-to-be-completed
Tanzania-Zambia Railroad (Tan-Zam). The track should be com-
pleted over the entire length of the Tan-Zam by the end of 1974,
connecting Dar-es-Salaam with the existing rail network of Southern
Africa at the Zambian junction of Kapiri Mposhi. Gauge will be
and railroad cars interchangeable from the Cape to
cb `_ Angola and Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
Approved For Release 2006/09/26 : CIA-RDP85T00875R001900010214-0
 Approved For Release 2006/09/26 : CIA-RDP85T00875R001900010214-0
Track settlement, the construction of sidings and other
ancillary fixed installations, and the lack of rolling stock
and other equipment will probably delay effective use of the
railroad throughout its length until at least the end of 1975.
Achieving the announced initial operating capability of one
million tons each way per year will require. complete acquisition
of at least 2,100 freight cars and 100 locomotives in addition
to the line improvements. An initial labor force of 5,000 in-
creasing to 8,00.0 will also be required and extensive training
and foreign recruitment are indicated.
A gradual build-up is probable during 1975-78 to a sub-
stantial capability well in excess of the approximate total
million tons of copper exported from the Kolwezi-DTdola copper
belt area of Zaire and Zambia. The recruitment and training of
staff will be a critical problem and minor delays in acquisition
of rolling stock and equipment much less of a problem. Only a
quite feasible 2 to 3 trains a day carrying a net 1,200 tons of
copp':r' each are required to :haul over a million tons a year. The
30 day turnaround time implied for 2,100 freight cars also seems
The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), the operating
authority, may be faced with financial difficulty if traffic and
revere does not develop soon -- a factor which should encourage
Approved For Release 20064J A''-RD~AT00875R001900010214-0
 Approved For Release 200649)2,6, ;-KR T00875ROO1900010214-0
the early development of a capability to haul as much Zairian
as well as Zambian copper as possible. Meanwhile, the BCK
(Bas-Congo au Katanga) Railway in Zaire would have to come to
grips with changing its pattern of heavy copper flow from the
Kolwezi area. Running eastward out of Kolwezi to Zambia re-
quires transit of heavily loaded track between Tenke and Lubu-n-
bashi.
The port of Dar-es-Salaam probably would not be any great
problem to the export flow of copper by the Tan--Zam route.
Three new deep-water berths should be completed in 1974 for a
total of eleven at the port. Copper bars and sheets are a
simple handling problem at a port and refined copper can be
stored in the open with no damage. A bonus factor is the
probable reopening of the Suez
Canal by the end of 1974 which will place Dar-es-Salaam far
closer to many world markets.
In sum, total diversion of Zairian copper exports to the
Tan-Zam route in 1975 would appear to be impractical. Gradual
diversion during 1975-78, however, seems to be eminently practical
and a very likely course of action.
,rf
Approved For Release 200f7b9)2`6C ' R ?;`f~.Q875R001900010214-0