based Alcoa Inc. and the government. The smelter is expected to restart in June, part of plans by the world's biggest aluminium producer to help develop an integrated aluminium industry in the West African country. "The conveyor belt which leads from the Valco smelter to the port, about 300 metres of it has been completely burnt," Owusu-Mensah said, adding that the damage was highly likely to delay the resumption of Valco's operations. A Valco executive however said the firm hoped to restart the smelter on time but it would need extra investment, estimating the damage at $3 million. Owusu-Mensah said the Tema oil refinery, which has a capacity of 45,000 barrels a day, had shut down its pipeline but residual oil in it was still burning. --More 2209 Local Time 1909 GMT
