Probe continues into fire at Astron Energy refinery in Milnerton
Cape Town - The investigation into a fire at the Astron Energy refinery in Milnerton continues and it is too early to determine when the refinery will be able to resume full operations, parent company Glencore’s chief executive Ivan Glasenberg has said.
Speaking during a virtual news conference
question-and-answer session that followed Glencore’s presentation of half-year
results, Glasenberg said: “It’s under investigation. There will have to be
repairs to the plant. We’re uncertain of exactly when the plant will come back
on stream. It's too early to determine when the refinery will be able to resume
full operations but we continue to import products to ensure no interruption to
supply.”
A statement from Astron’s media adviser, Suzanne Pullinger,
gave more detail: “The investigation into the incident is well under way, with
an external lead and combined team of internal and external subject matter
experts. All relevant state bodies and authorities have been engaged.”
At the same time, two employees who were injured in the fire
have been discharged from hospital and are recovering at home.
Pullinger also said: “The company continues to support the
families of the two employees who tragically lost their lives and all other
employees who were impacted.”
When the incident occurred, chairperson of the provincial
standing committee for local government Derrick America said: “I will invite
the relevant safety officials and Astron management to brief us on how the
issue arose, ways it can be prevented in future, and what critical lessons can
be learnt for the benefit of all.”
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