Yanbu Cement has resumed the operation of three kilns after a suspension cost the company SAR12.7m (US$3.4m).

The three lines were stopped on April 12 because of "fuel unavailability", the company said yesterday in a statement to the Saudi bourse website. The lines have a combined capacity of 4000t, representing 32 per cent of output capacity, the statement added.

To compound the issue, last week a fire broke out at its fifth production line, which is currently under construction. Yanbu has been selling its production from the fourth kiln, which has a capacity of 8500tpd.