13 September 2023 4 min

Is copper theft 5 times greater that vehicle theft?

Written by: Mitch Mitchell Save to Instapaper

South Africa confronts a glaring contrast in the retrieval rates of stolen assets, notably copper and vehicles. Recent data underscores the magnitude of this issue, revealing that copper theft in the nation has soared to an astounding R47 billion annually, overshadowing the significant R8.5 billion losses incurred from vehicle theft.

What compounds this concern is the stark contrast in the recuperation rates of these pilfered assets, with a commendable 55% of stolen vehicles being successfully reclaimed by their rightful owners, while stolen copper remains largely untraced and scarcely recovered.

Vehicle theft

According to the South African Insurance Crime Bureau (SAICB), a staggering R8.5 billion worth of vehicles are stolen and hijacked in South Africa every year. This figure breaks down further with R4.9 billion worth of vehicles crossing borders, R3.1 billion worth of vehicles remaining within South Africa as cloned vehicles, and R514 million worth of vehicles ending up in clandestine chop shops across the country.

Copper theft

Copper theft in South Africa is estimated to inflict a staggering R46.5 billion in annual losses, as reported by the Economic Sabotage of Critical Infrastructure (ESCI) Forum. In a stark illustration of this issue's severity, crime syndicates stole numerous truckloads of copper in July 2021, owned by prominent miners and traders including Glencore, Trafigura, and Traxys. The stolen copper was valued at millions of dollars; however, precise annual figures for copper theft were not provided in the report.

Ramifications

The economic ramifications of these thefts are undeniable, and the glaring disparity in recovery rates underscores a critical issue demanding immediate attention. The question that looms large is why stolen vehicles, despite their substantial value, are significantly more likely to be reclaimed compared to pilfered copper.

One beacon of hope addressing this challenge is CableDNA, an innovative technology engineered to combat the rampant theft of copper cables in South Africa.

Pioneering Microdot Injection for Enhanced Traceability

CableDNA leverages cutting-edge microdot technology to embed nickel microdots directly into copper cables, delivering a range of transformative advantages:

1. Fire Resistance: Nickel microdots exhibit innate resistance to fire, thereby augmenting the security of vital infrastructure. Even in the event of a fire incident, these microdots endure, preserving crucial evidence for potential identification under adverse conditions.

2. Tamper-Proof: Unlike conventional marking methods that can be tampered with or removed, the nickel microdots utilized in CableDNA resist easy removal, safeguarding the integrity of copper identification even when thieves attempt to obliterate evidence.

3. Melting Point Differential: A distinctive feature of nickel microdots is the marked difference in melting points between copper and nickel. During the recycling process, copper melts at a lower temperature than nickel, facilitating the uncomplicated identification and tracking of stolen copper. This advantage persists even after copper has undergone processing, leading to substantially higher recovery rates.

Mr. Mitch Mitchell, spokesperson for CableDNA, emphasized, "The glaring chasm in recovery rates between stolen vehicles and copper emphasizes the urgent necessity for innovative solutions such as CableDNA. Our technology not only acts as a deterrent but also guarantees the traceability and identification of stolen copper, dramatically elevating the likelihood of recovery.

This not only safeguards businesses and individuals from substantial losses but also bolsters the protection of South Africa's critical infrastructure and its economic well-being."

As South Africa grapples with the persistent challenge of copper theft, CableDNA stands as a beacon of optimism for a more secure future. By integrating nickel microdots into copper cables, CableDNA is at the forefront of enhancing traceability, deterring theft, and ultimately diminishing copper theft.

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