Added value: the requirements of mine clearers and donors from new mine detection technologies

There are 3 distinct areas where the risk from mines could be reduced by the application of new technologies. These are: the identification of areas of contamination; detection of individual mines; and rendering safe of mines. The aim of this paper is to explain the requirements of mine clearers and donors from new mine detection technologies. The paper discusses: level 1 and 2 mine surveys; manual/mechanical mine clearance techniques and mine clearing dogs; standards in mine clearance; and the potential of new technologies. It is concluded that any new detection equipment that can promote operator confidence to the extent that mine clearers can dispense with (or speed up) manual clearance techniques whilst increasing the surface area that can be covered each day, will be regarded as adding value and will be a cost effective investment. Any new detection equipment that does not add value (i.e. does not allow mine clearers to dispense with or speed up existing survey or detection techniques) will be regarded as expensive and irrelevant and will not find a place in the developing and increasingly competitive world of humanitarian mine clearance