The GICHD Mechanical Application in Demining study was published in May 2004. Through 2005 and 2006 the GICHD mechanical application unit has conducted outreach mechanical demining workshops in 14 mine impacted countries. In 2006 the unit will conclude the writing of a guide to mechanical demining. This guide is designed to be an easy read reference manual for the field practitioner and those interested in mechanical demining. The guide will contain advisory notes on machine categories; systems characteristics; common tasks such as ground preparation; vegetation cutting, and mechanical clearance. Residual hazards, rapid road verification, the use of magnets, information management, logistical support and training needs will also be covered.  

The unit continues to develop the Mechanical IMAS series and will also assist the development of CEN Workshop agreements for Post Mechanical Clearance Requirements, and Evaluation Methods for Quality Control (sampling) after Mechanical Demining. In addition the unit continues to offer an advisory service to those considering how to: integrate mechanical assets effectively into a mine action programme; select machines; design logistical support processes and technical training needs, and more generally how to apply machines on impacted ground.

The GICHD held a Technical Workshop in Geneva on 15-17 February 2006. More information

The "Mechanical Demining Equipment Catalogue" continues to be published on a biennial basis (see below for complete list). 

In 2006 the mechanical demining outreach project to follow up to the publication of "A Study of Mechanical Application in Demining" was completed. Complete report PDF 154KB 

GICHD Advisory Services concerning Mechanical Applications in Demining

GICHD Publications and Articles concerning Mechanical Clearance 

Contact

For questions or advice about the use of machines for demining, contact Erik Tollefsen, email: e.tollefsen(at)gichd.org.