Floods in Angola wash away railways, hindering critical mineral exports from the Lobito Corridor

Golden Ten Data reported on April 13 that flooding in western Angola has forced the suspension of rail traffic along the Lobito Corridor, disrupting this critical central African mineral export route. Lobito Atlantic Railway Company stated on Monday that the tracks near the Halu River, between Cubal and Caibambo, approximately 140 kilometers southeast of Benguela, suffered "serious damage." The operator of this line noted that after heavy rainfall on Sunday, infrastructure near the Cavaco River was also affected by flooding. The company said that operations on the affected section have been suspended until further notice. Supported by U.S. and European partners, this corridor connects the mining areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo with the Atlantic port of Lobito, mainly transporting copper, cobalt, and auxiliary materials needed for mining, making it a key supply chain for the global metals market.