THE current fuel crisis in the country has not affected the mining sector, Chamber of Mines president Nathan Chishimba has said.

And a survey yesterday showed that a shortage of petrol has continued but some filling stations in Lusaka and on the Copperbelt had stocks of diesel.

In an interview yesterday, Mr Chishimba said there had been no major disruptions in the operations of the mining sector because the mines always kept contingency fuel.

"As mines we always have contingency fuel to see the mines running even in situations like the current one we are going through," he said.

He said the worry would only come if the situation persisted because that would then result in contingency fuel being depleted.

Mr Chishimba urged Government to conduct a comprehensive review of the supply chain, saying the market had changed and that the system should be moving with time, taking into account the many developments which had occurred during the years.

And the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has allowed the oil marketing companies (OMCs) to distribute the product outside the stipulated time as long as precautionary measures are put in place to ensure the safety of people and property.

According to a statement released yesterday, ERB acting executive director, Lukonde Mfula said despite the recommended time for the distribution of petroleum products from 06:00 hours to 18:00 hours, discretion was exercised during the period of shortage to allow for the commodity to be transported to where it was required.

Mr Mfula also said the ERB on Tuesday randomly conducted a dipping exercise of various filling stations across the country, with the aim of checking against the hoarding of petroleum products but results did not reveal any cases of hoarding.

The Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ) has urged Government to find a lasting solution to the current fuel situation in the country.

EIZ president Henry Musonda said yesterday the recurrence of this phenomenon was a sign that not much had been done in taking care of the supply chain.

He wondered whether Government's plan to acquire the 100 per cent shares in Indeni would help improve the fuel situation in the country.

Mr Musonda said with energy being a strategic resource, Government should start investing in alternative sources of fuel such as bio-fuels and revitalisation of the coal mining operations.