After hearing an “abnormal noise” in the Table View and Milnerton surrounding areas, residents are pointing the finger to the Milnerton refinery.
Chris Petersen, a resident in Flamingo Vlei, says the noise is keeping him up all night.
“Not to mention the barking of dogs in the neighbourhood. The only thing that logically makes sense is that the noise is coming from the refinery. I understand that construction is taking place there, but can they not be a bit mindful of the community? Especially at night when we are sleeping,” Petersen says.
Petersen told TygerBurger that he took his concerns to social media and was surprised by the number of complaints. “I was happy to know that I’m not the only one going totally mad.”
Another resident says on social media she moved from Gie Road in Table View five years ago because of the noise and toxic fumes coming from the refinery.
Astron Energy, owner of the Milnerton refinery, says they are aware of the abnormal noise coming from the refinery.
The much-anticipated restart of the improved refinery is the cause of the noise, which comes more than two years after a deadly explosion shuttered operations.
Explosion
The Milnerton refinery made headlines in July 2020 when an unexpected explosion occurred there.
Two people lost their lives and six were injured in the blast.
A memorial service for workers who died in the Astron fuel refinery explosion was held. The company said two young chemical engineers, Mpilo Sibiya and Likhona Vece, lost their lives in the incident that happened at the Milnerton plant.
Refinery to open
Astron Engery says in a media statement they are in the final steps of a safe full restart of the refinery and plan to fully recommence the production of refined products for supply into the province and the wider South African regions in the coming weeks.
They have also begun bringing up various processing units as part of a phased restart sequence.
“As part of this process, we are venting steam and air at times and the most recent noise heard during the early hours of 26 January was due to a malfunctioning steam pressure relive valve.We are currently addressing the issue and would like to apologise to our surrounding communities for any disturbance and inconvenience this may have caused,” the statement reads.
However, the exact date of the reopening remains unknown.
It is speculated that the opening of the refinery will ease logistical problems that led to the shortage of jet fuel at Cape Town International Airport.
Astron Energy also urged the community to report any loud noises and inconveniences.
For any queries, SMS the word “query” or “complaint” followed by a text message to 30786.
