In 2006 Central African Mining also acquired exploration licenses in the Moatize basin coalfield and started construction of a mine. Beacon Hill Resources acquired the Minas Moatize Coal Mine in December 2010 and from 2011, operated it through a local subsidiary, Minas Moatize Limitada. Beacon Hill converted the mine from underground to open-cast mining. In 2012 the Minas Moatize Coal Mine was estimated to have proven reserves of 25 million tons and probable reserves of 17 million tons of thermal coking coal. Beacon estimated production was 0.1 million tons of coal in 2012, transported to the port of Beira using a fleet of 40 trucks. Beacon hoped to reduce transport costs in the future by using the railway.(2012) Minas Moatize Coal Mine, Tete, Mozambique Mining-Technology.com, Retrieved 5 April 2013 In March 2012, Beacon Hill entered a marketing partnership with the Dutch Vitol trading group who would market and export the coal. Bob Finch, Vito's Head of Coal announces Coal Marketing Partnership with Beacon Hill
