Indeni Oil Refinery, Zambia’s sole 24,000 barrel per day producer resumed work following a shutdown of the Ndola based plant because of a fault in the operations.

Mr Kenneth Konga energy minister of Zambia and Mr Maybin Noole GM of Indeni confirmed the resumption of production of finished petroleum products at the company. The plant was shutdown last Sunday after a technical fault.

According to management, a leakage was detected in the operations prompting some of the workers to take action to avert the plant from catching fire and destroying property. Management was prompted to summon engineers to ensure that operations at the 35 year old sole refiner of diesel, petrol, heavy oils and kerosene was resumed without further delay.

During the shutdown, Oil Marketing Companies were directed to stock at least 15 days of petroleum products in their reserve to avert shortages in the copper rich country. Mining companies consume 50% of the petroleum products chiefly diesel and heavy oils, used to drive the copper industry in Zambia.

Konga assured petroleum product consumers that there was not going to be any shortages in the country as the government had made contingencies to avert the problem. Indeni, struggling to raise USD 65 million to sustain its operations after the pull out of Total International of France recently has in recent years suffered several sudden breakdowns of machinery.

Indeni was previously jointly owned 50% to 50% by Total El Fina EIF and the Zambian government. In 2009, the government bought back total’s stake in the plant for USD 5.5 million. It is presently looking for creditworthy partners in the refinery to ensure its sustainability.

(Filed by Mr Kapembwa Sinkamba SteelGuru Correspondent Zambia)