Natural Resources and Violent Conflict - WaterWiki.net

Bar-coded tagsand scannersGood: easily read;can be combinedwith microtaggantor chemical tracerpaint for greatersecurityPractical: very easy to read, evenfrom several meters; can link toautomatic scaling system; canbe difficult to apply; sensitivescanners may break down; tagscan fall off or be cut out; metalstaples can be fouled by millingequipment and vice versa;training is required for systemuse and data entryVery practical: transponders verydurable (more than eight years);codes can be reprogrammed;can be read remotely (and underwater); direct interface withcomputers for data gathering;training in installation andreading required as well asequipment maintenanceMedium: $150 forstandard applicationtool ($300 forpneumatic); $1,000for automatic feedand paint application;$0.10 for a standardtag; $0.60 for a tagwith paint applicationVery high: as permicrotaggant andmay be linked toautomatic scalinginformationRadiofrequencyidentificationtagsVery good: tag isundetectable;accurate andreliableVery high (but falling):$3,000 for applicatorand reader; $800 foradditional reader;$3–$8 pertransponder in100,000-unit volumesVery high: as permicrotaggant, butwith direct computerlink(Table continues on the following page.)121