Guidelines for preparing security policy and procedures for exploration projets.

A Company can be affected by four main types of security problems:

• general political unrest;
• organised political unrest/terrorism;
• "petty" crime in residential areas;
• serious theft of material/equipment.

1. General political unrest

Any action will not be directed specifically at the OPCO. The first approach is merely to keep a low profile and to stay away from the places where crowds tend to gather (no photography). Corporate Security (CS) will be keeping themselves informed about the situation and if it escalates will give advice on further steps, such as evacuations.

A contingency plan for application in the case of such an escalation should be prepared in advance, for both field and office staff.

The British and US embassies will probably have prepared their own contingency plans. The OPCO should maintain contact with these embassies, plus the appropriate ones for any non US /British staff, and ensure that its plans are compatible with, and if possible are integrated into, the embassy plan. OPCO staff should be prepared to participate and assist as and when requested. It may well be found that one or the other embassy will be prepared to include the whole staff, irrespective of nationality, in their plan.

2. Organised political unrest/terrorism

This may very well be directed against either Company property or staff in a bid either to embarrass the Government or to raise money by ransom demands. Before commencing any operation CS should be invited to visit the area and evaluate the threat, if any. They will advise the OPCO Management on steps which should be taken.

3. "Petty" crime in residential areas

This is the most common security problem to be faced by an OPCO. It is not directed specifically against the Company staff, except as representatives of a richer strata of society. The three hazards are burglary, car theft and mugging. Again CS should be invited to visit the area, evaluate the threat and advise on countermeasures.

Against burglary this will basically be to "harden" the target, so that opportunist thieves will preferentially choose a different, "softer", target. Steps to take are to have a good wall and gate, install security lights around the house, have bars on the windows (but think of escape in case of fire) and to employ watchmen, armed or not according to the local custom. Servants should be chosen with care.

It can also be considered to employ the services of a professional security organisation who will provide a radio link to an alarm centre ("panic button") with mobile patrols to respond to calls. Depending on the evaluation of the level of personal risk one room in the house can be strengthened into which to retreat while waiting for assistance to arrive.

Communication between residences and between residences and office should be ensured. If the telephones are not reliable (or wires are exposed and can be cut) then it is recommended to use mobile phones or VHF radios.

The risk to cars can be minimised by installing alarms, and by avoiding parking in areas which are known to be prone to car theft. If the risk is significant then company drivers should be used, who can stay with the car.

A sense of proportion should be kept about the risk of mugging/rape. It is often no higher than it is in Europe, and it can be minimised by the use of common sense. Staff, especially wives and children, should not walk alone in areas known to be risky, and attacks should not be invited by flaunting jewellery. Important documents should not be carried in shoulder bags so that there is little inconvenience when they are snatched.

4. Serious theft of material/equipment

This include the theft of major pieces of equipment, vehicles and/or loads, and may also include the threat of violence. This is likely to take place during transport. Waterborne transport is susceptible to piracy (very common in SE Asia) and land transport is susceptible to hold ups using trees across the road, etc. A feel for the risk should be obtained from local contacts, along with their advice on how to deal with the threat.

If theft is an issue, trucks should be dispatched in convoys, with an escort vehicle in advance to check the road (in radio contact with the trucks). If the threat is not serious issuing batons to the crews may suffice. If travelling at night (which itself is only allowable under exceptional circumstances) spotlights should be fitted to the vehicles. If the bandits are likely to be armed then military or police escort must be requested.

Supply vessels are most at risk when at anchor in a harbour or sheltering near the coast, so crews must be vigilant. Slow moving barges are always at risk. Using guards on barges both while under tow and at anchor should be considered.

If it is considered necessary to arm the guards this should be done through the appropriate authority.