landmine

A landmine is a munition concealed in or on the ground that explodes when disturbed or when it is triggered by a remote detonation. Landmines are designed to injure, kill, or disable people or vehicles without a visible operator. They are broadly categorized as anti-personnel mines, which target people, and anti-vehicle mines, which target vehicles. Triggers include pressure, tripwires, tilt sensors, and remote detonation.

Anti-personnel mines are often small and inexpensive and can remain buried for long periods, creating a continuous risk. Anti-vehicle mines are larger and intended to damage or destroy vehicles through blast or fragmentation. Some mines use simple fuzes, while others include electronic components, programmable features, self-destruct or self-deactivation mechanisms, or anti-handling devices to deter tampering.

Historically, landmines have been used in many conflicts since the 20th century and continue to pose hazards long after fighting ends. They deny access to land, impede relief and reconstruction, injure civilians, and cause economic disruption. Casualties include children, farmers, and aid workers, and mine debris often remains in former battlefields.

Legal responses have aimed to curb their use. The Ottawa Treaty of 1997 bans anti-personnel mines, requires destruction of stockpiles, and calls for mine clearance in affected areas; however, not all countries are signatories, and some mines outside the treaty’s scope remain in use. Other international agreements address specific weapon types and transfer controls.

Demining employs manual, mechanical, and sometimes canine or robotic methods to locate and remove mines. Techniques include probing, metal detection, controlled detonations, and mine-clearing lines. Risk education and clear marking of suspected areas are essential to reduce casualties until a minefield is fully cleared.