The nexus between resources and criminal activities: ‘Recycling crimes’ (Metals)

Mankind has always turned to the earth to exist; and, mining has been key to this survival - it has provided a whole array of resources - including ‘metals.’ The evolutionary process has meant that each generation has advanced their use of metals due to the symbiotic relationship to (industrial/technological) revolution(s). However, this has come at a price – in terms of the environment and also those employed as part of the mining process. This research paper considers the latter, it explores the correlation between obtaining resources and criminal activities. A primary part of this research considers the recycling of metals and the growing criminal trends and criminality linked to this pursuit. This includes a case-study from the UK. The research also factors in Covid-19 and the impact to society including in respect to resources, commodities (mined and recycled).

The findings are that recycling replicates much of the organized criminal activities to be found in mining; and, that, like mining, there is not sufficient legislation and other controls in place to prevent these crimes and abuses. Organized crime is invariably a global epidemic in the same way the virus is.