mineclearing

Mine clearing, also known as demining, is the process of locating, identifying, surveying, and removing land mines and other explosive hazards from the ground to make land safe for civilian use. It is a central activity of mine action and is undertaken after armed conflict or in areas where unexploded ordnance remains. Types of hazards addressed include antipersonnel and anti-tank mines, improvised explosive devices, and submunitions. The goal is to reduce civilian risk, support reconstruction, and enable farming, housing, schools, and infrastructure.

Approaches to mine clearance vary by context and hazard. Manual clearance relies on trained operators using metal detectors, probes, and hand tools to detect and carefully remove mines. Mechanical clearance uses armored excavators, tillers, and similar equipment to clear routes or bulk areas, often under controlled conditions. Detection dogs or sensors such as ground-penetrating radar, and increasingly, remote or autonomous robots, assist identify likely locations. Once a device is found, explosive ordnance disposal teams render it safe or destroy it in a controlled explosion.

Mine clearance is hazardous and time-consuming. Practices emphasize safety, area marking, and risk education for local communities. Clearance projects prioritize critical infrastructure and high-risk zones, and require continuous quality assurance and verification to confirm that land is safe.

Funds and expertise are provided by governments, international organizations, and humanitarian NGOs. International Mine Action Standards provide guidance on procedures, quality management, and risk reduction. Successful clearance allows land to be used for agriculture, housing, roads, and schools, contributing to post-conflict recovery, but residual risk from undetected devices and submunitions can persist for years.