Valuable copper demands stringent security procedures

KEVIN MAYHEW
FOR CARGO Management & Logistics (CML), the higher price for copper has immediately made it more attractive for theft and it has extensive security arrangements for the copper cathove (99.9% pure copper) for which it is responsible. Ruud Walgaard, general manager Zambia for the forwarding company says that precautions include armed guards on vehicles and convoy formations with armed escorts. “We have always been conscious of the value of our cargo, but now it is even more of a consideration,” he said. Most of the copper cathove is destined for China and India. There is also a strong Chinese presence in the mining industry and they are also fulfilling downstream functions such as smelting, he added. The copper cargo is trucked in open vehicles until it is containerised and shipped either through Dar-es-Salaam or Durban.