Show navigation

Manual Demining

Manual Demining

Manual demining was the original method of demining. It was introduced after World War II when the practice of mine clearance was first established.

While the demining industry has developed machinery that is utilised during the mine clearance process, the use of such machines alone is not enough. Machines are not capable of working on certain types of ground, as well as on mountainous fields, hills, or narrow areas. In addition, manual clearance is considered more accurate than mechanical demining. For these reasons, manual demining remains a crucial aspect of humanitarian mine clearance.

Mines are usually not visible to the naked eye since they are laid face down, buried, and covered with soil.  Therefore, it is essential to use devices that can detect mines beneath the surface.

The DEMIRA demining personnel uses mine detectors and metal needles. While metal detectors are moved above the soil surface and indicate the presence of magnetic field producing caused by the metal parts of a mine, the minesweeping needles, sharp iron rods with a handle, are inserted into the ground in a certain angle. If the needle comes into contact with a hard body, the deminer proceeds to carefully excavate the area.

These techniques are time consuming, expensive, and high risk, as a deminer is near the explosive. Complementary techniques have become essential to increase cost-effectiveness and efficiency in mine clearance and to ensure the safety of the demining personnel.