Aug 09, 2010 (Dow Jones Commodities News via Comtex) -- Tanzania Zambia Railway, known as Tazara, needs to generate revenue of at least $5 million a month in order to operate smoothly and satisfy its customers, the Times newspaper of Zambia reports Monday.

The state-owned daily quoted Tazara managing director, Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika, as saying the company's current monthly revenue of $3 million is not enough for the company to meet its obligations. The ailing Tazara is Zambia's main copper export route connecting Zambia's Copperbelt Province to the Tanzanian port of Dar Es Salaam.

"If we are to earn $5 million a month we would be able to meet our obligations and this includes being able to erode indebtedness (and) pay attention to passenger coaches and physical infrastructure..," he was quoted as saying.

Zambia is Africa's largest copper producer.