Opinion (Rogério COPETO): The theft of precious metals.
The base metals theft targets any infrastructure or equipment containing metal, and copper, one that generates higher profits and therefore be called "red gold", although not a precious metal.
Rogério COPETO
Lieutenant Colonel of the GNR, Master in Law and Security and Homeland Security Auditor
Head of the Education Division / Command Doctrine and Training
Any object or infrastructure that contains copper in its composition is a potential target for criminals, strongly affecting a number of structural and key economic sectors for the country.
The theft of copper target generates an easy profit, because there is demand for this metal. While precious metals considered, such as gold and silver, They have an intrinsic value for whom steals, as well as any other citizen that values as an object, copper is stolen to be sold in bulk to scrap, obtaining value when reintroduced into the commercial circuit, by recycling.
Copper theft has been a growing trend in the country, from as affecting agricultural properties, spending by telecommunications carriers and distribution of electricity.
The biggest loss in copper theft comes from damage, whether direct or indirect, reaching 50 times more than the amount of copper stolen.
The operators of communication and distribution of electricity, losses mainly reach consumers, that they have been prevented from communicating and for companies, to develop its activity. In agriculture, thefts on the premises, can mean the difference between a productive year and a year with high losses.
There are several reasons for the copper demand. On the one hand, the global copper market moves, per annum, next to 100 billion, whereas only 30% the world needs come from mining.
The remaining slice is obtained from recycling and copper is recyclable almost 100%. We emerging markets, como a China ou a Índia, there is a high demand for copper, that you did raise the price of raw materials in international markets.
So, copper value increases, due to high demand in the market and when the copper value increases, grow thefts.
The prevention of this type of criminal incident, It is not easy because of the wide dispersion of equipment and infrastructure throughout the national territory, compounded by the fact that mostly locate in remote areas and the protective measures and active and passive safety are costly and difficult to implement.
Also the draining hinders the prosecution of this type of crime, owing to receiving sites and easy reintroduction into the legal market, especially through exports.
In copper theft the problem posed security, You can not have just one police response, It requires a coordinated effort of all security forces and judicial authorities, as well as civil society and the business community.
