A case study of non-ferrous metal theft at a selected mine in South Africa

摘要

The threat posed by non-ferrous metal theft to industries in South Africa is substantialbut is also regarded with indifference. A reason for this view may be that the criminal actis ordinarily not accompanied by violence and the target of the crime is an object that isfar removed from the vicinity of the majority of South Africans. Non-ferrous metal theftmay sometimes even be erroneously termed a victimless crime. This study endeavours toshed light on the complexities of non-ferrous metal theft and the industrial dangers thatmay be suffered if this crime is not eradicated. A case study from the mining industrywas used to examine the nature and extent of non-ferrous metal theft. A mixed methodsapproach was followed in terms of which qualitative and quantitative research was donesequentially to provide the best possible representation of the situation. The participantallowed access to data over a six-year period as well as access to mine employees forinterviews to assist with understanding the safety and security measures that the mineput in place to protect its workforce. This information led to another realisation, namelythat if non-ferrous metal thieves cut an electricity supply line that is critical for lifesupport and transportation in the mine, mineworkers may succumb to the harshconditions underground. It also became evident that the police and the criminal justicesystem must develop a better understanding of the seriousness of non-ferrous metaltheft. If this does not happen in the near future, managing the consequences of nonferrousmetal theft at South African mines will become a mammoth task. Such mines andother industries affected by non-ferrous metal related theft must collaborate with eachother and the police in order to understand the nature of the crime and to ensure thatthe prosecution of the perpetrators is handled properly. These industries should alsosubscribe to a pragmatic approach to crime prevention whereby various componentsfrom different crime prevention strategies are used to address the issues beingexperienced and whereby a unique crime prevention model for each industry and miningsite can be developed.