Mine Action Weekly, 17 - 23 July 2023

The Mine Action Weekly newsletter brings you all the latest news from the mine action sector, organised by world regions. In addition, the newsletter lists events and trainings relevant to mine action professionals.

As always, all views expressed are my own.

Weekly News Roundup

The weekly news roundup showcases a low-down of the top mine action news and insights from the past seven days.

Global

Mechanical Mine Clearance System Market Size to Hit US$ 73.9 Mn by 2031, To Grow at a CAGR of 4.5%

A study by Transparency Market Research Inc. suggests that the global mechanical mine clearance system market was valued at $49.8 million in 2022. It is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2023 to 2031 and reach $73.9 million by the end of 2031.

Asia-Pacific

Lingering war ghosts continue to haunt Vietnamese due to U.S. cluster bombs

Unexploded ordnance (UXO) from the Vietnam War continues to pose a significant threat to Vietnamese citizens, with over 2,000 people dying or getting maimed from UXO explosions annually. The majority of victims are children and individuals involved in scrap metal collection. Despite clearance efforts reducing UXO-contaminated land from 6.1 million hectares to 5.6 million hectares between 2010 and 2020, UXO still covers 17.7% of Vietnam's total land area. The US military is reported to have dropped 413,130 tons of cluster munitions over Vietnam between 1965 and 1973.

Cambodian deminers hone technical skills with 3-month training in China

Twenty Cambodian deminers and armed forces members are participating in a three-month "humanitarian mine clearance training" course in China, hosted by the Army Engineering University of the People's Liberation Army. The training, which runs from June to September, aims to enhance their technical skills in mine detection and explosive ordnance. This initiative is part of China's ongoing support for Cambodia's demining efforts, which has included funding, equipment, and training.

Norway and US provide extra US$20.8 million for bomb clearance in Laos

Norway and the United States have granted an additional $20.8 million to the Norwegian People's Aid / Norsk Folkehjelp (NPA) for bomb clearance in Laos. The funding will enable the NPA to expand its capacity for surveys, clearance, and explosive ordnance risk education activities in four southern provinces of Laos. The initiative is expected to directly benefit nearly 30,000 people and provide jobs for over 820 locals in southern Laos.

Cambodia set to declare six more provinces mine free

The Cambodian government is set to declare six more provinces as mine-free by the end of the year, as part of its strategic policy to clear all landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) from the country. Over the last three years, Cambodia has cleared 420 square kilometres of landmines, and from 1992 to June 2023, the cleared mine area totals 2,795 square kilometres. The number of victims has significantly decreased, from 4,320 in 1996 to 41 in 2022, and the government aims to clear about 10,680 square kilometres of hazard ares by 2025.

Afghanistan: Children are the main victims of unexploded and abandoned weapons

In Afghanistan, unexploded and abandoned weapons pose a significant threat to civilians, especially children, despite decreased fighting. The International Committee of the Red Cross - ICRC reported that between January 2022 and June 2023, 640 children were killed or injured in 541 incidents involving landmine explosions and explosive remnants, accounting for nearly 60% of the total number of civilian casualties. The ICRC is calling for additional efforts to address the issue of weapon contamination and for the international community to provide technical and financial assistance to reduce casualties caused by unexploded devices.

Ukraine

Almost 700 people killed and injured by landmines in Ukraine

Since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, 221 people in Ukraine have been killed and 450 injured by landmines and other explosives, says Oleksandr Horunzhyi, spokesman for the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU).

Switzerland pledges further Ukraine demining assistance

Switzerland has pledged to continue its assistance to Ukraine in demining its territory during the Russian occupation, with a financial commitment of CHF15 million ($17.4 million) for this year. The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) will receive CHF3.2 million from 2023 to 2025, while the Swiss mine clearance organisation FSD (Fondation suisse de déminage) will receive CHF2.5 million over the next 12 months. The Swiss Agency for Cooperation and Development is also supporting a UN program for humanitarian demining with CHF10 million.

Ukrainian military testing mine scanning drones received from Denmark

The Ukrainian military is testing mine scanning drones received from Denmark as part of an aid package. The drones, equipped with scanners, can detect magnetic anomalies in the ground, water, and on the surface, identifying metal objects up to three meters deep. This technology allows sappers to remotely scan territories and identify locations of explosive objects, enhancing safety. The drone crews, consisting of an operator and a pilot, were also trained in Denmark. The drones are already being used successfully to detect explosive objects.

Former Special Forces engineer says Russian minefields are unlike anything he has ever seen

Ryan Hendrickson , a former US Special Forces engineer and current volunteer in Ukraine, has stated that minefields are so extensive that they are shaping the course of the war, with all routes and fields being mined. Hendrickson's organisation, Tip of the Spear Landmine Removal, is working to remove these mines, but the task is overwhelming due to the complex schemes used by the minelayers and the sheer volume of mines.

Slovak Bozena-5 mine clearance vehicle saves lives of Ukrainian sappers

The Slovak-made Bozena-5 unmanned mine clearance vehicle is saving the lives of Ukrainian sappers, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The remotely controlled vehicle, which can reach speeds of 9 kilometres per hour, is accompanied by a five-person demining team. The machine has played a crucial role in restoring electricity supply in many liberated settlements of the Kharkiv region.

An area of Ukraine approximately the size of Florida is now riddled with land mines

The Ukrainian military is grappling with a massive land mine problem, with mines spread across an area roughly the size of Florida. The situation is unprecedented in the last 30 years; about 30% of Ukraine has been subject to heavy fighting and will require thorough clearance operations, making Ukraine the world's most mined country. Despite ongoing efforts, the scale of the problem could take generations to fully address, with estimates suggesting it could take close to 500 demining teams and 757 years to complete the work, while the World Bank?estimated?that the demining work could exceed $37 billion through 2033.

Ukraine's front line deminers: 'Always first, always forward'

Ukrainian troops face a dense array of hidden Russian mines on the front line. The mines trap the advancing troops in the kill zone of Russian artillery, causing destruction to Ukraine's newly received western armoured vehicles. The task of clearing the way for the counteroffensive falls on the hands of combat engineers, known as "sappers", who move ahead of the infantry to remove mines and secure a safe passage.

Ukrainian company begins construction of vessels for demining waterways

Nibulon, a major Ukrainian agricultural company, has begun constructing vessels to demine international inland waterways. The first vessel for the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) is being built at the company's expense, and they aim to produce a total of 15 vessels for SESU. These demining efforts are crucial as over 16,000 square km of water area in Ukraine is currently mined.

Ukraine war: Land mines, booby traps, and tripwires

Despite the Russian invasion of Ukraine showcasing high-tech warfare, old-school tactics like land mines, booby traps, and tripwires are causing devastating harm to Ukrainian troops. Mines might even inflict more injuries on Ukrainian soldiers than artillery. Dense minefields are forcing troops to undertake dangerous demining work, while booby traps are hidden among dead animals and tripwires, targeting soldiers attempting to disable them. Jumping mines and plastic "leaf" mines further complicate the situation, making treatment challenging. The demining process requires delicate precision amid constant explosions.

Biggest threat to Ukraine in battle right now is minefields, not Russia's superior airpower, top US general says

The biggest threat to Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russia is not airpower but minefields, according to the top US general, Mark Milley. He stated that the casualties Ukrainians are suffering are mainly from minefields covered with direct fire from anti-tank hunter-killer teams. Western countries are trying to provide Ukraine with additional equipment to help clear these obstacles, such as rocket-projected explosive charges like the M58 Mine Clearing Line Charge.

Ukraine's military is overcoming Russia's dense minefields

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russia is set to accelerate as the military overcomes dense Russian minefields. The presence of these minefields has significantly slowed Ukraine's progress, forcing soldiers to abandon some Western-supplied tanks and proceed on foot. Despite these challenges, Zelenskyy remains confident that the counteroffensive will gain pace as more areas are demined.

Lithuania to create coalition for demining in Ukraine

The Lithuanian Defense Ministry is forming a coalition to aid Ukraine in demining operations, as announced on July 18. The coalition will consolidate and coordinate ongoing and planned assistance to Ukraine in demining, following a "train and equip" approach. Other countries are invited to contribute training instructors or demining equipment to meet Ukraine's needs. The initiative comes as Ukraine has received less than 15% of its requested mine-clearing equipment, hindering its counteroffensive efforts.

Ukraine needs 150 demining systems to satisfy farmers’ demands alone

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that the country requires 150 demining systems to meet the needs of farmers alone, highlighting the significant challenge of demining the Ukrainian territory. The president also noted that negotiations for the delivery of demining equipment are ongoing with several countries, including Slovakia, Croatia, Japan, and Canada.

'I didn't realise I'd lost my leg': Risks taken by Ukrainian soldiers to defuse mines and booby traps

Ukrainian soldiers, "Zeus" and "Constantine", are part of the demining unit in Ukraine's 35th marine brigade, tasked with detecting and disarming landmines in the war-torn region. The pair have discovered mines and booby traps hidden in various locations, including gates, doors, cars, cellars, and even attached to dead bodies. The work is dangerous and often conducted under enemy fire. Despite the risks, including Zeus losing a leg to a landmine, the pair remain committed to their mission, leading "storming" units on foot through minefields to assault Russian trenches.

NPA's reactions to the US transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine

Norwegian People's Aid / Norsk Folkehjelp (NPA) has expressed concern over the US's decision to transfer cluster munitions to Ukraine, calling for all states not party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions to join without delay. The NPA, which works to clear submunitions from cluster munitions in several countries, warns that these weapons cause long-lasting harm and pose a particular risk to children.

West Asia

Lebanese Demining Operations Face Funding Shortfall

In Lebanon, a country littered with land mines and unexploded munitions from decades of conflict, demining efforts are ongoing. Despite the country's economic crisis, demining work continues, driven by a committed Lebanese army, foreign humanitarian demining organisations, and hundreds of Lebanese deminers. However, the work is challenged by reduced international financial commitments and the risk of renewed conflict.

Mine blast kills 3 children in Yemen's Marib

Three children were killed in a mine explosion in Yemen's oil-rich northern province of Marib, according to a local government official. The children, from the same family, were playing near the As-Suwayda camp for displaced people when they accidentally triggered a landmine. The incident highlights the dangers faced by civilians in Yemen, one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, due to its ongoing civil war.

Azerbaijan Army’s Engineering Troops continue de-mining activities

In July 2023, the Engineering Troops of the Azerbaijan Army cleared approximately 610 hectares of land from mines, according to Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry. To date, the army's engineer-sapper units have cleared a total of 32,285 hectares of land, neutralising 10,207 anti-personnel mines, 2,580 anti-tank mines, and 10,447 unexploded ammunitions. The main efforts are focused on demining settlements, sowing plots, roads, and infrastructure facilities in the contested territories.

Bearing witness to the disastrous effects of landmines in Azerbaijan

The article highlights the devastating impact of landmines in Azerbaijan, with over a million mines making large areas uninhabitable and causing significant human and environmental damage. The article also calls for more international cooperation and accurate minefield maps to aid demining efforts.

Azerbaijan awards "For Merits in the field of mine Clearance"

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed an order awarding a group of individuals with the medal "For Merits in the field of mine Clearance".

Africa

Stories from South Sudan

MAG (Mines Advisory Group) is working in South Sudan to clear land contaminated by mines, cluster munitions, and explosive remnants of war, a result of the country's conflicts. This contamination poses a significant threat to lives, freedom of movement, and access to arable land, and instills fear and insecurity in communities. The article shares stories from the team in South Sudan and the people they support, highlighting the importance of their work in making the land safe and enabling communities to rebuild.

Europe

Croatia, Fearless project: demining completed

The "Fearless Velebit" project in Croatia, led by the public enterprise for the management of forests and forest land, Hrvatske ?ume d.o.o., has successfully completed the demining of 1,645 hectares of forest in the Li?ko-senjska and Zadarska counties. The project, worth 35 million Euros, was part of the “Razvoj okvira za upravljanje ekolo?kom mre?om Natura 2000” programme, and was co-funded by the EU under the cohesion policy 2014-2020. The demining efforts have cleared 2,177 mines and explosive remnants of war, and reclaimed trekking routes in the Velebit Natural Park and the Paklenica National Park.

German World War II mine discovered during patrol on Belgian coast

A German World War II mine containing 80kg of explosives was discovered off the Belgian coast by the crew of a Navy patrol vessel. The mine was safely recovered by a team from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Destruction Service (DOVO) and detonated at sea. This is the first time such a device has been found in the area.

Upcoming Events, Courses & Trainings

There are a number of interesting events for the mine action sector in the coming months, and some of the deadlines are approaching quickly.

• EPFL is offering a MOOC on "Humanitarian Action in the Digital Age." The six-week, self-paced online training equips humanitarian practitioners with the knowledge to responsibly use technology in their work. The course covers basic computer and data science, complex technologies, and ethical considerations. You can register for free here.
• The?Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD)?has opened registration for two online e-learning modules: "Introduction to GIS for Mine Action" and "Introduction to ArcGIS Enterprise" (14 Aug - 1 Sep 2023). The first module focuses on how GIS can enhance mine action by enabling visualisation and analysis of spatial data to make informed decisions. The second module covers the integration of ArcGIS Enterprise with IMSMA Core, supporting more effective mine action workflows. Deadline for the registration is 7 August 2023. You can apply?here.
• The Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) is inviting applications for the 2023 GCSP Prize for Innovation in Global Security. The prize recognises individuals or organisations with innovative approaches to addressing international security challenges. The winners will be announced in November 2023, with the first-place winner receiving CHF 10,000 and a certificate of excellence. The application deadline is 25 September 2023. You can apply?here.
• Praedium Consulting Malta Ltd and Mine Action and Training MAT Kosovo Sh.p.K.?is offering an IMAS EOD Levels 1 & 2 Course, designed for individuals interested in starting a new career or building on past experience in the mine action industry (28 Aug - 22 Sep 2023), in Serbia. The course will equip participants with skills to perform level 2 field operator duties, including planning and conducting Battle Area Clearance and demining operations. The €8,490.00 fee covers training, materials, certification, accommodation, meals, transfers, and insurance. Registration deadline is 28 July 2023. You can apply?here.
• MAT Kosovo is offering an IMAS EOD Level 3 Course (24 Sep - 13 Oct 2023). The course is designed for those already qualified at IMAS EOD Level 2, aiming to enhance their competency and provide a deeper understanding of the roles of a demining site manager, IMSMA reporting, and large-scale demolitions. The course fee of €7,690 covers all training materials, equipment, certification, accommodation, meals, transfers between Pristina airport and the school, and Category A insurance for handling live explosives. Registration is open until 24 August 2023. You can apply?here.
• GICHD Innovation Conference 2023:?The three-day conference will showcase new technologies and provide a unique platform to discuss current demand-driven Explosive Ordnance Risk Reduction challenges relating to mine action and ammunition management activities. Deadline for the registration is 31 July 2023. Learn more about the conference?here.

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Please reach out to me if there are any mine action news, journal articles, events, or updates that you would like me to feature in the next Mine Action Weekly newsletter. See you next Monday!