Table of Contents
12.0 Travel, Safety and Security
12.1 Risks and Hazards
12.2 Responsibilities (Due Diligence) and Travel Safety
12.3 International Travel Preparations
12.3.1 Preparation Checklist
12.3.2 Aircraft Travel Considerations
12.4 Personal and Travel Security
12.5 Hotel Safety
12.6 Hotel Fire Safety
12.7 Kidnap and Ransom
12.7.1 Express Kidnapping
12.8 Travel Health
12.8.1 Ear Barotrauma and Jet Lag
12.8.2 Deep Vein Thromboses (Blood Clots)
12.8.3 Safe Food and Water in Developing Countries
12.8.3.1 Safe Food Guidelines
12.8.3.2 Safe Water and Drinks
12.8.3.3 Water Treatment in Remote Areas or Developing Countries
12.8.3.4 Safe Water for Swimming and Bathing
12.8.3.5 Fluid Replacement Therapy
Figure 12.1: Fluid Replacement Therapy
12.8.4 Protection from Insect Bites
12.8.5 Diseases
12.8.5.1 Chagas Disease (Trypanosomiasis American)
12.8.5.2 Cholera
12.8.5.3 Dengue Fever
12.8.5.4 Hepatitis, Viral
12.8.5.5 Histoplasmosis
12.8.5.6 Japanese Encephalitis (JE)
12.8.5.7 Legionnaires Disease
12.8.5.8 Leptospirosis
12.8.5.9 Malaria
12.8.5.10 Meningococcal Meningitis
12.8.5.11 Plague
12.8.5.12 Rabies
12.8.5.13 Schistosomiasis
12.8.5.14 Travellers Diarrhea
12.8.5.15 Typhoid
12.8.5.16 Yellow Fever
12.9 Resources
Introduction
The risks and hazards of travel generally depend on your destination, how informed and prepared you are before departure, your state of health, and your perceived level of importance to those who might wish to cause harm. Therefore it is important to learn as much as possible about the destination so that you can cope well, not offend local traditions, and avoid health and safety issues. For some locations it may be advisable for exploration companies to carry out a risk assessment to determine whether doing business there presents unacceptable risks to the company or its employees. When visiting a field project you may be going places where typical tourists do not travel. Use appropriate guidebooks to learn about the country and research the risks on government websites, such as those of Canada, Australia, the UK, and the USA if you want information in English. Talk to other mineral exploration people who may have worked there, though their advice may not be perfect sometimes people working in a risky area become accustomed to the risks and downplay them. Check with a travel medical advisor who is familiar with health issues in the region. Finally, always keep a low profile to avoid the appearance of a good target and someone of value
An exploration company initiating a program in a country with perceived risks may benefit from professional expert advice, especially if serious security problems exist. There are security firms that specialize in assisting companies with the issue of travel outside the home country. Such companies will run training courses on safe, secure travel, audit company procedures, assist with setting up emergency response systems, provide personal security on site, and may establish safe house accommodations in extreme situations. Some may also assist with crisis situations such as negotiations in the event of kidnapping.