Mechanical demining systems can greatly increase the effectiveness and efficiency of mine clearance operations. The GICHD has previously studied machine deployment practices and the cost effectiveness of various mechanical demining systems. There has been considerable variation in the success of operational mechanical demining programmes. Key factors to success, or failure, are selection of the most appropriate machine type(s), and effective management, planning and proper understanding about how various machines are best utilized, as a stand-alone system or jointly with other assets.
The GICHD has now developed a tool for management of mechanical demining operations. This Excel based tool has been developed to be a user friendly and easy way to enhance the productivity and cost-effectiveness of mechanical demining operations. The simple database collects data about each active machine for each working day (including machine downtime and cause) and then compiles the data into an intuitive set of reports that help highlight machine and operational inefficiency. The tool and the operator manual are both downloadable from the GICHD webpage and has also been integrated as part of the GICHD mechanical demining training package.
