Demining Technology Needs

Our research starts with an analysis of deminer needs. We have found this to be the most productive way to devise new ideas and low cost, practical technology for deminers to use in the field.

Our most recent report investigates technology needs: which technologies could make a significant impact on demining safety and cost-effectiveness? The report concludes that there are at least 9 technologies which, if provided, could do this:

• Mechanisation (particularly vegetation clearance).
• Mine detection dog performance measurement and prediction.
• Cost effective quality assurance methods.
• Low false alarm rate detector.
• Better protective equipment
• Remote survey methods to locate UXO or mine contamination without having to clear vegetation.
• Better information technology tools.
• High quality hand tools, drinking water and uniforms.
• Special operational needs for specific regions, eg methods for mine clearance in mud flats or swamps.

The report suggests that a coordinated response is needed by donor nations to respond to these needs. About US$30,000,000 research and development should be quite sufficient to make a major impact, but research and development funding is not being directed appropriately at the moment.

The report is provided as PDF documents which can be downloaded. An illustrated version of the report with cross links to illustrate the need for certain technologies will appear.

• Main report: Demining-Tech-Needs.pdf (2.14 Mb)
  ...or...Demining-Tech-Needs-c.pdf (387kb - lower quality images)
• Summary Table: Needs-All.pdf (9kb)
• Country-by-Country Listing of Needs: Needs-tables.pdf (44kb)
• Survey Instrument survey3.pdf (47 kb)

Detailed reports on some of the countries referred to in the report are also available from this web site.

An earlier needs analysis which was strongly based on Afghanistan deminer needs is also presented as a series of web pages. This was never fully completed, but still presents useful information. This is complemeneted by an analysis of mechanical demining needs: this requires a major update and should be treated with caution for the time being.