Govt moves to register all copper sellers
Government says it wants all copper traders selling scrap metal and non-metal waste products registered under the Second Hands Goods Act.
It introduced measures to curb the damaging effects of scrap metal and copper cable theft on public infrastructure.
Speaking at a joint ministerial briefing on Wednesday, Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel said a new licensing system will be put in place for businesses trading in ferrous and non-ferrous metal waste and other scrap material.
He says the first step is to prohibit copper and copper alloy exports for six months.
"In order to register to pay in copper waste scrap metal, applicants will need to show tax adherence and dealers will be required to submit purchase and sales information to a centralised database.
"Buyers will only be allowed to purchase from registered sellers, which means that incidental sales of copper waster and scrap products and sales from unregistered waste pickers will not be allowed."
