Digital Commons Network^™

The Mine Free Sarajevo Project, Marija Trlin, Elise Becker, Nataša Uršič

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Mine Free Sarajevo is a US-funded project aiming to clear more than six million square meters of mine-suspected and mine-contaminated land in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and surrounding municipalities. The project utilizes land release methodology, a cost-effective and safe way to release large areas by combining technical and non-technical survey methods. Upon completion of the project, the Sarajevo region will finally become mine-free and safe for the local population. This will enable social and economic growth and the development of many infrastructure projects that have been on hold for years.

On-The-Ground Information Management Tools In Northeast Syria, Suleiman Nyamwaya, Joel Ndegwa

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Beginning in early 2017, clearance activities in northeast Syria have been carried out primarily by NGOs. Initially, clearance was focused on agricultural land, but other critical infrastructure such as education, shelter, and electricity followed suit over time. Toward the end of 2017, iMMAP began providing coordination support to humanitarian mine action actors through the application of the Information Management System for Mine Action.

Mine Action 2020: Book Of Papers, Centre For Testing, Development And Training Development And Training

Global CWD Repository

Book of papers that was to be presented at the 2020 Mine Action Symposium in Croatia. The Symposium canceled due to COVID-19.

Clearing Cluster Munition Remnants 2020, Mine Action Review

Global CWD Repository

Key Findings:

• In the 10 years since the entry into force of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) in 2020, a total of more than 766 square kilometres of cluster munition-contaminated area has been cleared. During survey, clearance, and spot task operations nearly one million unexploded submunitions have been destroyed. Countless lives and limbs have undoubtedly been saved as a direct result, as well as the broader contribution to development.
• In 2019 alone, a global total of more than 130 square kilometres was cleared of cluster munition remnants (CMR), a new record, beating the previous high (in 2018) by nearly …

A Guide To The Oslo Action Plan And Provisional Results Of 2020 Monitoring: Survey And Clearance, Mine Action Review

Global CWD Repository

This Guide and provisional results of 2020 monitoring by Mine Action Review aim to support the measurable and accountable implementation of Article 5 of the 1997 Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention. They do so by focusing on the Oslo Action Plan, adopted at the Fourth Review Conference in November 2019, describing how the Action Plan addresses survey and clearance, and explaining how progress in implementing those commitments in the Action Plan will be assessed. This Guide follows the Oslo Action Plan’s approach by detailing commitments that apply specifically to survey and clearance operations in all affected States Parties, as well …

Clearing The Mines 2020: A Report By Mine Action Review For The Eighteenth Meeting Of States Parties To The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, Mine Action Review

Global CWD Repository

Key Findings:

• In 2019, a global total of more than 131 square kilometers was cleared of anti-personnel mines, with more than 96% of recorded clearance occurring in States Parties to the APMBC. However, this total is a marked decrease on output in 2018 of more than 155 square kilometers, and was the lowest recorded clearance globally for more than ten years. The true total area of clearance is probably considerably greater, but data recording and reporting problems prevent accurate reporting of a higher figure, in addition to a lack of transparency by several States not party.
• In total, almost 164,000 …

Disposal Of Explosive Ordnance And Environmental Risk Mitigation, Roly Evans, Andy Duncan

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Humanitarian mine action (HMA) survey and clearance operations have always focused on the contamination that can be seen. Whether it is anti-personnel (AP) mines, anti-vehicles (AV) mines, or explosive remnants of war (ERW), our efforts focus on removing items that pose an immediate blast and fragmentation hazard to humans. However, in certain circumstances, explosive ordnance (EO) also poses a significant environmental hazard, not least from the toxicity of its components, such as heavy metals and explosives. The understanding of contamination from EO in air, soil, and water has developed significantly in recent decades.[i] ^{[ii] [iii] [iv]} This has mainly …

Seventh Mine Action Technology Workshop: A Space For Innovation, Arsen Khanyan, Inna Cruz

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The 7th edition of the Mine Action Technology Workshop, a biennial event organized by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), took place from 7–8 November 2019 in Basel, Switzerland. Titled Remote Sensing and Robotics in Mine Action, the workshop welcomed 165 participants from forty-nine countries, representing eight-five organizations.¹ It offered a platform to discuss and share ideas and experiences that promote the efficient use of innovation and technology in humanitarian mine action (HMA). This unique event is aimed at bringing together mine action professionals, manufacturers, national authorities, operators, and representatives from the United Nations as well as …

Automated Uas Aeromagnetic Surveys To Detect Mbrl Unexploded Ordnance, Alex Nikulin, Ph.D., Timothy Desmet, Ph.D., Andrii Puliaiev, Vasyl Zhurakhov, Sofia Fasullo, Gabriel Chen, Isaac Spiegel, Kaylee Cappuccio

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Unguided Multiple Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) systems are limited-accuracy, high-impact artillery systems meant to deliver barrages of explosive warheads across a wide area of attack. High rates of failure of MBRL rockets on impact and their wide area of ballistic dispersion result in a long-term unexploded ordnance (UXO) concern across large areas where these systems have been deployed. We field tested a newly-developed UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle)-based aeromagnetic platform to remotely detect and identify unexploded 122 mm rockets of the widely-used BM-21 MBRL. We developed an algorithm that allows near real-time analysis, mapping, and interpretations of magnetic datasets in the …

To What Extent Could The Development Of An Airborne Thermal Imaging Detection System Contribute To Enhance Detection?, Martin Jebens, Hideyuki Sawada, Ph.D., Junjie Shen, Erik Tollefsen

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Over the past two decades, several initiatives that involved research and development on sensor and detection systems have failed to successfully integrate with clearance operations and have not been able to help affected states overcome the humanitarian challenges caused by weapon contamination. Though initial tests were promising, when faced with the reality of the field, the technology often indicates shortcomings.[i] The terrain, dense vegetation, metal clutter, or other obstacles encountered in humanitarian mine action (HMA) pose challenges often greater than reliable target detection. Therefore, understanding the inherent challenges of a task is paramount when discussing the entry of new …

The Lethality Index: Re-Conceptualizing Ied Clearance Planning And Delivery In Iraq, Mark Wilkinson

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Explosive hazard clearance (EH) comes at a cost and, logically, with accountability expected as a quid pro quo both for those conducting and those funding clearance activities.[i] Today’s accountability problem arguably begins with the recognition that EH clearance, particularly in complex environments contaminated with improvised explosive devices (IEDs), differs radically from conventional mine action operations of the past, introducing various new factors that influence costs and cost-effectiveness. This, in turn, begs two questions: “What factors?” and “How are they measured?” Hence, before the mine action community can evaluate cost-effectiveness leading to accountability, it must first re-conceptualize clearance itself based …

Confidence-Building Through Mine Action On The Korean Peninsula, Guy Rhodes, Ph.D.

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Korean Peninsula is divided by a strip of land, the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which represents the de facto border between North Korea, and South Korea. Contrary to its name, the DMZ is the most militarized zone on earth, and it delineates a stand-off between militaries composed of several million professional and reservist soldiers on both sides. It is the “Cold War’s last divide and one of the most symbolic barriers between two nations. It is also heavily mined with both anti-personnel and anti-vehicle landmines, and contaminated with unexploded ordnance (UXO) from extensive ground battles and heavy aerial bombardment.

This …

Developing A Sustainable National Training Capacity: Non-Technical Survey Training In Colombia, Marc Bonnet, Helen Gray, Giulia Matassa

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In January of 2014, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) conducted its first non-technical survey (NTS) training course in Colombia with the objective of enabling participants to plan and conduct NTS. At the time, however, Colombia had the second highest number of landmine accidents in the world,[i] with non-state armed groups (NSAGs) producing explosive ordnance (EO) “mostly in the form of victim-activated improvised explosive devices.”[ii]Descontamina,[iii] the National Mine Action Authority (NMAA), planned for fulfilling its Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC) commitments, and national dialogue was initiated on a Plan de Choque, “a plan of …

Death Sentence To Civilians: The Long-Term Impact Of Explosive Weapons In Populated Areas In Yemen, Hi

Global CWD Repository

In Yemen, the massive use of explosive weapons with wide area effects in populated areas has not only had deadly consequences for civilians, but has also had a dramatic impact on the infrastructure and systems that civilians depend upon to access essential services. Yemen shows how the long-term or reverberating effects of explosive weapons use, referring to how the destruction of infrastructure has implications for the wider systems of services in a country, are just as deadly in a crisis as injuries from the explosion and even impact a greater number of people than those in the vicinity of the …

To Walk The Earth In Safety 19th Edition (Cy2019), Us Dos Pm/Wra

Global CWD Repository

The United States is a strong and historic partner for affected states and a leader in donor assistance. Since 1993, the United States has provided more than $3.7 billion in CWD assistance to over 100 countries. These programs are implemented by commercial contractors, nongovernmental organizations (NGO), and international organizations. In 2019, the United States had active CWD programs in 58 countries, spanning Africa, the Middle East, South and Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. This 19th edition of To Walk the Earth in Safety catalogs the U.S. government’s achievements in CWD in each country and highlights the …

Hd R&D Field Evaluation: Rebel Crusher, U.S. Humanitarian Demining Research And Development

Global CWD Repository

The Rebel Crusher is a commercial mobile soil sifter and rock crushing plant modified for demining operations. It is designed to operate in areas where a significant fraction of the soil is composed of mine-sized objects (rocks) which make sifting difficult, or where dense metallic clutter makes mines undetectable. Modifications to the system include hardening the crushing chamber to withstand anti-personnel mine blasts, and increasing the capacity of the sifting mechanism. The Rebel Crusher is capable of processing 75-125 tons of soil per hour. Distribution Statement A: Approved for public release.

Hd R&D Field Evaluation: Light Soil Sifter, U.S. Humanitarian Demining Research And Development

Global CWD Repository

The light/sandy soil sifting project is evaluating the feasibility and operational suitability of using commercial beach-cleaning technologies to remove mines and clutter from sandy and mechanically prepared soils. Demining applications envisioned for these systems are removal of mines from sandy and other light soils, raking surface soil to collect clutter, and assisting with inspection and quality assurance behind mechanical clearance equipment. Distribution Statement A: Approved for public release.

Hd R&D Field Evaluation: Medium Minewolf, U.S. Humanitarian Demining Research And Development

Global CWD Repository

The Medium MineWolf is a powerful remote control or manually operated mine clearing system that uses large earth tilling and flail attachments to neutralize landmines. The tiller’s teeth engage the ground to a depth of 25 centimeters, physically destroying anti-personnel (AP) and anti-tank (AT) landmines, and mulching vegetation up to 15 centimeters in diameter. The Medium MineWolf can survive both AP & AT mine blasts. Distribution Statement A: Approved for public release.

Hd R&D Field Evaluation: Improved Backhoe, U.S. Humanitarian Demining Research And Development

Global CWD Repository

The Improved Backhoe is a modified commercial backhoe that incorporates a variety of commercial off-the-shelf attachments used for vegetation reduction and soil sifting in mine suspect areas. The vehicle has been modified by armoring the cab and chassis, and adding blast proof SETCO tires capable of withstanding multiple anti-personnel mine detonations. Among the attachments, the Rotar sifting bucket can safely collect, sift, and separate mines and other debris from mine suspected soil. Distribution Statement A: Approved for public release.

Hd R&D Field Evaluation: Traxx, U.S. Humanitarian Demining Research And Development

Global CWD Repository

Traxx is an extremely compact, remote controlled vehicle capable of working in and around slopes of up to 60 degrees. It is equipped with a variety of commercial vegetation cutting implements and custom designed mine clearing tools. At less than 1.3 tons Traxx is easily transported to remote sites and capable of climbing and working on the most challenging hillsides. The factory equipped remote control has a working range of more than 300 meters and the 1.3 meter brush cutting attachments has demonstrated excellent capability for cutting saplings and heavy brush with little residual debris. Distribution Statement A: Approved for …

Hd R&D Field Evaluation: Multi-Tool Excavator, U.S. Humanitarian Demining Research And Development

Global CWD Repository

Providing reach-in capability for safe operations with manned equipment, Multi-Tooled Excavators offer highly flexible platforms from which operators can conduct ground preparation and specialized mine clearing processes. The combination of tools for sifting, shredding, and combined function excavation and sifting, is tailored to suit local conditions and demining requirements. The attachments can be fitted to the demining organization`s own armored excavator. Distribution Statement A: Approved for public release.

Hd R&D Field Evaluation: Target Reaquisition And Positioning System (Trps), U.S. Humanitarian Demining Research And Development

Global CWD Repository

The Target Reacquisition Positioning System (TRPS) is a dual-purpose, target reacquisition and survey tool. TRPS is a lightweight, low-cost and highly accurate system that simplifies the use of Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) for reacquiring ground target positions previously identified UXO detection systems. TRPS is also a surveying tool that provides the ability to quickly survey boundaries, locations of items found, or mark other points of interest with centimeter level accuracy. The Minefield Management Tool provides real-time data logging capabilities for demining managers. Modules provide mapping, survey, equipment, target/data, incident and personnel management capabilities. Distribution Statement A: Approved for public …

Hd R&D Field Evaluation: Bearcat, U.S. Humanitarian Demining Research And Development

Global CWD Repository

The Bearcat is a remote controlled, skid-steer chassis integrated with a vegetation cutter and a remote monitoring system for operation in suspect mine and UXO contaminated areas. Bearcat utilizes a completely commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS), plug-and-play, remote control system, and is designed for a wide range of area preparation tasks. The system allows demining and battle area clearance teams to quickly and efficiently remove vegetation for follow-on manual clearance teams. Distribution Statement A: Approved for public release.

Mechanical Improvised Explosive Device Removal In The Urban Environment, David Parry

Global CWD Repository

The safe removal and disposal of conventional weapons from civilian populated areas in a post conflict scenario is fraught with dangerous, complex and wide-ranging challenges. The worldwide proliferation of improvised explosive devices has added to the existing burden of landmine clearance already being undertaken by various organizations. Part of the solution to these challenges is to remove improvised explosive devices using mechanical methods to reduce the likelihood and consequence of the risks that personnel face when carrying out this extremely hazardous task.

The mechanical removal of improvised explosive devices is an emerging methodology that is based on an established model …

Landmine Monitor 2020, Icbl-Cmc

Global CWD Repository

This is the 22nd annual Landmine Monitor report. It is the sister publication to the Cluster Munition Monitor report, first published in November 2010.

Landmine Monitor 2020 provides a global overview of the landmine situation. Chapters on developments in specific countries and other areas are available in online Country Profiles at www.the-monitor.org/cp.

Landmine Monitor covers mine ban policy, use, production, trade, and stockpiling; includes information on developments and challenges in assessing and addressing the impact of mine contamination and casualties through clearance, risk education, and victim assistance; and documents international and national support for mine action. This report focuses on …

Iraq Programme Report 2020, Unmas

Global CWD Repository

In 2020, UNMAS Iraq prioritised the following areas of support:

• Support government and national mine action entities with managing, regulating, and coordinating a mine action response through Technical Support (TS) initiatives;
• Deliver Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) at the community and national level; and
• Provide Explosive Hazard Management (EHM) response in support of humanitarian and stabilization efforts.

Due to the nature of threats posed by EO, UNMAS and its implementing partners are among the first responders allowing the humanitarian community and local authorities to intervene quickly and efficiently to help civilians.

A significant mine action capacity gap remains in Iraq. …

A Guide To Non-Technical Survey, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

The aim of this guide is to provide an introduction to Non-Technical Survey (NTS) for mine action personnel who wish to learn more about the subject, but who may lack practical experience. This guide collects the lessons learnt from the development and standardisation of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) Non-Technical Survey Training Course and will form part of the pre-course reading material. It aims to provide course participants with a better understanding of the theory and practice of NTS operations. The importance of the practical training cannot be overstated, and this guide is not meant to replace …

Demining In Urban Centres Is A Race Against Time, Pascal Rapillard, Jeremy Repond

Global CWD Repository

Pascal Rapillard, GICHD Head of External Relations, Policy and Cooperation programme and Jérémy Repond, GICHD External Relations Officer, expand on how demining in urban centres is a race against time.

Demining In Urban Centers Is A Race Against Time, Pascal Rapillard, Jeremy Repond

Global CWD Repository

Identifying and clearing explosive ordnances in formerly embattled areas in Iraq is a matter of priority as refugees and internally displaced persons are returning to their homes. It is a race against time.

Achievements And New Challenges In Mine Action, Stefano Toscano

Global CWD Repository

In the past two decades, the sector has achieved significant results: 31 of the formerly contaminated countries have declared themselves mine free; more than 52 million stockpiled mines have been destroyed; the new use of antipersonnel mines by States, even those not yet party to the Convention, is rare; the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) play a key role in ensuring safe, efficient and effective demining activities. The sector has also made strong efforts to reinforce its role as an enabler of broader agendas: while pursuing its own objectives, mine action also represents a prerequisite for additional transformative agendas such …