SCRAP YARDS NOT ALLOWED TO BUY COPPER WIRE

[Isetech]

I didnt get a chance to sell all our copper scraps at the end of the year.

Today I decided to stop off at our local scrap yard and sell all our copper wire scraps.

I was told they can no longer buy copper wire.

Anyone aware of this new law?

What do we do with all our off cuts?

[Isetech]

Apparently they do still buy copper pipes and parts of AC and refrigeration.

Do I need to tell you what all the people standing in the que were selling

Best you bolt down your copper piping.

[GCE]

There was a ban introduced on 1st Dec on the exporting of all copper to try put a halt on the theft

Would assume that the scrapyards now do not want to buy the copper as they cannot export and get the prices that they were previously getting.

There will still be a market for scrap copper as there are companies that smelt copper to make spot welder tips etc - The price will not be as previous and the market is smaller

[Thys LOW Elektries]

Once again the innocent is being punished and not the criminals
I'm also sure that since the introduction of the bill on 1 Dec 2022 there was a serious decline in the theft of copper wire
OK so what did the law achieve so far other than helping the criminal element to make more money out of the situation
Like the ban on liquor in America years ago, which didn't stop the sale of liquor, and the ban on smokes during covid which didn't stop the sale of smokes, laws don't stop crime effective policing and courts with effective prison service do make a difference
What did the banning of fire arms help to solve crime in South Africa? NOTHING
How will the banning of 2nd hand copper sales help to stop copper theft?



for the sins of the thievlegal sellers of second hand copper wires are being puihed

[Isetech]

Management from the scrap yard contacted me to discuss this issue this morning, I lost my shyte this morning, after waiting 45 minutes in a que to be told that they dont buy copper wire.

I was told that they will buy my copper, however, I need to create letter on an official letterhead stating that I am an electrical contractor and the pieces are offcuts from a project, I then have to go to the police station and also do an affidavit explaining how I obtained the copper. Not worth the hassle.

What do you plan to do with all your scraps of copper.

Shiny bright copper prices are going to go through the roof, maybe a good idea to hold onto it.

[Thys LOW Elektries]

Maybe if they do like with bio hazardous material it can solve the problem. The electrical contractor register at Police and somebody come round once a month, check your copper, weigh it and pay you for your copper, Like they do with second hand oil at a garage.

[Thys LOW Elektries]

Page 31 of the SA Electrical Contractor November-December 2022 issue they have an article on illegal copper exports and theft of cable. Interesting maybe the Copper Development Association Africa can come up with a plan of how we can get rid of our copper waste?