Organizing a Prospecting Trip

This part should also be considered in a list, including equipment, for example, what regulations will be adopted according to local circumstances, local or climatic conditions and project financing (budget).

Camp

A) Choosing the base camp

Get informed on the most favorable area to set up the base camp, being close to some route of communication, a supply center and water source (if possible). See if the camp can be set up inside a building, with a warehouse to store equipment in a closed and locked space.
Choose if possible, a nice area, free, shaded, with the possibility of fencing it, if necessary. Study the medical and sanitary infrastructure of the area, in case of an accident, as well as the fastest safest evacuation (close to a lading strip, if possible to make it available, adding ground to air signals, etc). International communication methods such as ground to air codes should be known.

B) Base camp adaptation

It should the most comfortable possible. If a good night sleep is assured, the day performance will be also.

It will need to be equipped with:

• Fridge and freeze (gas or diesel)
• Gas stove
• Beds or cots with pillows, sheets & mosquito screen.
• Fold up chairs
• Flood lights (gas or diesel) or other equipment 
• Restroom area, with showers & closed off bathrooms, regularly cleaned, disinfected and portable.
• Drawing tables made out of large pieces of wood.
• Store rooms for the equipment, with shelves (made out of bamboo or layers of wood).
• Well designed pantry and isolated from parasites (insects, rodents, ants, etc.) using motor oil or diesel everyday.
• Gas containers in a well ventilated area and protected from the sun with a covering, not too close, but not too far so they aren’t stolen.
• Have a funnel close by to tank up the vehicles and a pit to work under the cars.
• The lodging of personnel if there aren’t buildings available should be in large double layered tents, set up close together or apart, depending on the staff’s preferences.

In the case of desert areas where it’s very hot or warm, it would be recommended to use campers (motor homes, Winnebago, RV) that are easy to transport and well illuminated and air conditioned. These are also recommended when going on a long mission like drilling & tactical prospecting. 

• The living room/dining room/kitchen can be located under a cloth roof, if possible double layered, or covered by branches using stakes, for protection from the sun.

C) Temporal fields

The equipment is lighter; the tents less spacious, beds are smaller and sometimes just reduced to a sleeping bag, the equipment is reduced to the minimum and even more reduced depending on transport limitations. For example, two awnings, a mattress, mosquito screen (or mosquito covered hammock), a pot, some candles and a change of clothes, would be all the equipment your need to take to the field.

When it comes to tents, there are lots of types that can be found: for dense jungle or wetlands it’s advisable to use airtight zippers.

Before setting up camp, also consider the possible “contamination” (where to drink water, shower, bathrooms, etc.).