Peace and Conflict Studies Commons^™

Manual Demining In Lebanon, Max Dyck

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

MineTech International has been tasked with clearing 1,300 square kilometres of land in southeast Lebanon. In the space of nine months, MineTech deminers have disarmed and destroyed 23,300 mines, clearing 2.2 million of the total three million square metres of land. As MineTech approaches completion of this first major task in Lebanon, MineTech Project Manager Max Dyck and Team Supervisor Moses Sibanda present their individual perspectives on the challenge.

Mine Drill For Drevers, Hugh Morris

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

With its Mine Dog Centre in Pretoria, MineTech International has begun a two-year program to assess the potential of the Drever for development as an alternative breed for mine detection work. The programme has been initiated by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), which has provided six dogs for the project. The study involves keeping detailed records of all areas of the Drevers’ development process to identify both the positive and negative aspects in training these dogs as mine detection dogs (MDDs). The project began in October 2002, and although it is still in early stages, some interesting …

A Fresh Approach To Road Clearance Operations, Roger West

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

UXB International has employed a combined approach to clearance activities in the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) between Eritrea and Ethiopia. The author discusses how his organization uses this unique method of mine clearance.

Tmac: Conquering Thailand’S Unique Mine Problem, Nicole Kreger

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC) faces a number of challenges in coping with the country’s landmine situation, but the organization is making progress, one step at a time. For more insight into TMAC’s operations, Mr. Dave McCracken, Chief Technical Adviser of TMAC, recently shared some of his views on demining, including the successes and challenges, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and what lies ahead.

The Swedish Eod And Demining Centre, Thore Backman

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article briefly introduces the Swedish Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Demining Centre (SWEDEC) and illustrates its role and principal activities within both military and mine action contexts.

Mine Detection Dogs In Denmark, Mikael Borch Madsen

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Danish Mine- and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)-Technicians (DANMINAR A/S), a company based in Denmark, provides various types of training for dogs in locating such things as bombs, drugs, mines and more. This article outlines their history and progress in the field of detection dogs.

Mine Detection Dog Program: The Cambodian Experience, H.E. Khem Sophoan

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In the seven years since its creation, Cambodia’s Mine Detection Dog (MDD) Program has grown and developed to become a fully integrated part of the country’s mine clearance strategy. This article highlights the program’s history and achievements.

News From The Oas, Whitney Tolliver

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since 1996, the OAS Mine Action Program has assisted the government of Costa Rica in its efforts of mine clearance, mine risk education (MRE) and victim rehabilitation. On December 10, 2002, the country became the first in the Americas to officially declare itself free of AP mines. Mine contamination within the country had been concentrated primarily along the northern border as a result of the conflict in Nicaragua. Costa Rica itself has never produced, imported, stockpiled or used AP mines.

The U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action Program: Helping Countries “Get On Their Feet”, Jenny Lange

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since 1988, the U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action Program (formerly the U.S. Humanitarian Demining Program) has been involved in mine action efforts around the globe. While much has been written about the U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action Program over the past few years, it is useful to review the program’s fundamentals if only to remind ourselves of its policy and procedural aspects.

The Survey Action Center, David Hartley

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Survey Action Center (SAC) is an international organization with its headquarters in Washington, D.C. It is registered in the United States as a non-profit organization. SAC serves as the executing agency for Landmine Impact Surveys (LISs). These surveys will allow for greater prioritization of demining efforts and further integration of the various mine action sectors.

The Swedish Rescue Services Agency And Mine Action, Pehr Lodhammar

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Swedish Rescue Services Agency (SRSA) is a Swedish governmental organization that has been involved in Mine Action since 1999. Currently, the SRSA is involved in mine action in Eritrea, Kosovo, Jenin, Lebanon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The SRSA conducts a number of mine-related research and development (R&D) projects and hopes to become an operational mine clearance operator in the future.

Ocean Group: Explosive Ordnance Disposal/Landmine Clearance Division, Susanna Sprinkel

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since 2000, the Ocean Group Explosive Ordnance Disposal/Landmine Clearance Division (EOD Division) has been forming an extensive underwater clearance program by combining vast experience from different fields of mine action and by developing advanced underwater demining technologies

Canadian Centre For Mine Action Technologies, Susanna Sprinkel

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Funded by the Canadian Landmine Fund, the Canadian Centre for Mine Action Technologies (CCMAT) works with Canadian and other international organizations to enhance the mine action community. To date, they have tested and evaluated a number of now widely used pieces of mine action equipment as well as researched new techniques to further develop demining technologies.

Mine Detection Dogs: An Integral Tool In Ronco Mine Clearance Operations, Ronco Consulting Corporation

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Mine detection dogs (MDDs) have become an important tool to mine action organizations in many programs across the globe. For about 15 years, RONCO has been one such organization. This article describes the role of MDDs in RONCO’s operations.

Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) provides operational assistance to mine action programmes and operators, conducts research and provides support to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention.

An Update On The Mine Action Support Group, Masg Masg

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The following article highlights the recent activities of the Mine Action Support Group (MASG). This includes updates on the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Use Of Mechanical Equipment In Mine Clearance, Johannes Dirscherl

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In recent years, mechanical equipment has become more and more prominent in demining programs around the world. This article provides an overview of mechanical demining equipment and highlights the involvement of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) in promoting such equipment.

The U.S. Department Of Defense Humanitarian Demining Research And Development Program, Sean Burke

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In 1994, the United States initiated a research and development (R&D) program to develop new, internationally shareable technologies for humanitarian deminers and for U.S. troops performing peacekeeping and stability operations. The Humanitarian Demining (HD) R&D Program is part of the overall U.S. effort to assist with the global landmine problem.

Adopt-A-Team: Adopt-A-Minefield® Responds To The Situation In Afghanistan, Megan Burke

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Afghanistan is considered one of the most mine-affected countries in the world. This is the sad legacy of 23 years of near-continuous war—first against Soviet occupiers, then between rival Afghan factions. The majority of the population has not experienced a time of peace in their lives. According to the United Nations, between 150 and 300 people are injured or killed every month due to landmines or UXO. Seventy percent of those accidents involve civilians—many of whom are returning refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The Minex Center, Minex Minex

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since 1978, in the scope of cooperation or defense agreements that link us to some countries (e.g., Chad and Lebanon), the French Engineers have taken part in overseas operations in countries that are greatly affected by the problem of mines and battlefield pollution, and that are no longer at war. Those sappers will acquire an experience recognized worldwide.

In 1992, in order to standardise mine clearance techniques and to elaborate an acceptable training doctrine for all the military actors, the Joint Chiefs of Staff decided to create a training center for post-war mine clearance within the French Army Engineer School …

Security Devices (Pvt) Limited, Trevor Thomsen

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Security Devices (PVT) Limited has expanded its manufacture of metal detectors to include an entire range of personal protective equipment (PPE) and manual demining hand-tools.

Low-Profile Disposal Of U.S. Ordnance, Frederick L. Barthold

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The mission was simple enough; monitor air operations at Thumrate bombing range from a safe distance, locate ordnance that did not detonate, ensure a positive identification of said ordnance and ensure a complete disposal of said ordnance is accomplished with the lowest profile possible. Oh, if life could be so easy! The ordnance: MK82, 500-pound bombs using M904E point detonating nose fuzing with a M990 series, inertia tail fuze back-up, and GBU-10, laser guided bombs (MK84) with a MK346 electric tail fuze. What normally would have been a “blow-n-go” operation took a brutal turn for the worse when a herd …

New Partnership Brings Man’S Best Friend To Armenia, Nicole Kreger

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

As a result of the 1988–1994 war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Armenia suffers from landmine infestation in those areas where fighting took place.Generous donations from the Armenian Assembly of America and the U.S. government will allow the Marshall Legacy Institute (MLI) to send several mine detection dogs (MDDs) to help eliminate Armenia’s landmine problem.

The International Test And Evaluation Program, Itep Itep

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

On 17 July 2000, Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Commission (EC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create the International Test and Evaluation Program (ITEP); Germany became a Participant on 14 June 2002.

Messiah College’S Minefield Simulation, Donald Pratt

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

As a part of their Mine Awareness Week, members of the Messiah College Landmine Action Project (MCLAP) built a simulated minefield to draw attention to the landmine issue and give members of the community a taste of what it might be like to live in a place where mines are a part of daily experience.

Humaid’S Demining Efforts In Guinea-Bissau, Susanna Sprinkel

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Guinea-Bissau may not have one of the largest landmine problems in the world, but the lives of native Guineans continue to be threatened on a daily basis by landmines/UXO that remain from previous conflicts. This study highlights the efforts of the non-governmental organization (NGO) HUMAID, whose main objective is to keep working until Guinea-Bissau is landmine-free.

The Demining Technology Information Forum, Dtif Dtif

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Demining Technology Information Forum (DTIF) organizes conferences and publishes proceedings and relevant papers in an effort to increase communication between users and developers of demining technology.

A Firsthand Experience With Mine Action: On The Ground With The Organization Of American States In Nicaragua, Mark Hyman

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Founder and chairperson of Global Care Unlimited, Inc., Mark Hyman has been actively working with the global landmine issue for the past three years. This past June, he visited Nicaragua to witness the effects of landmines firsthand and to find out how his middle-schoolers could help. This piece describes what he found there.

Restoring The Spirit Of Asia’S Most Mine Affected Countries, Hayden Roberts

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Various wars and internal conflicts have left the civilians of Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam in serious need of assistance. Today, several organizations are increasing their aid to mine victims by addressing both their physical and socio-economic needs.

Somali Demining Action Group, Omar Mohamed

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Somali Demining Action Group (SDAG) aims to eradicate anti-personnel landmines in Central and south Somalia. Statistics are provided for mine casualties in central and south Somalia.