In February 2019, 50 Frontier Mine (DRC) employees “braved” a course in snake handling, – identification, – bite treatment and first aid for venomous bites. Looking at the photos one would say they rather “enjoyed” their course with little to no evidence of fear!
This is a very important course considering the nature of ERG Africa’s operating environment and the presence of various venomous and non-venomous snakes.
Some of the species found at Frontier Mine include the Forest Cobra, Black Spitting Cobra, Puff Adder, Gaboon Adder, Boomslang, Python, Mamba, Vine Snake and other.
The trained employees now have a solid understanding of snake behavior and characteristics, as well as the potential risks and safety precautions to be taken whilst handling snakes. Note that all captured snakes are always safely relocated to their natural habitats, far from the accommodation and operational areas.