Evidence Based Field Risk Management
(a 2020 paper asking for honesty in this industry)
Comparing manual demining methods
What is HMA and how does it differ from military demining?
How can I become a deminer?
Essential safety data missing
Three failings of the ICBL
Assessing the use of rats as detectors
Land Release - reducing standards
Why not chase efficiency?
IEDs in Humanitarian Mine Action
GICHD - still not fit for purpose?
The slow death of International Standards
Landmines and HMA glossary
Site index
For detailed reports on accidents in which deminers have detonated an explosive hazard as they work, see the Database of Demining Accident victims at DDAS online. These reports are often snapshots of demining activity and can help you to understand the varied processes involved, and the varied risks associated with them. See also the accident case studies under Powerpoint downloads.
If you are a newcomer to HMA, I suggest that you start with the introduction to demining and then read Myths about
mines and demining.
I hope that sharing information on this website will reduce the number of 'cowboy' operators at all
levels in the demining community, from researcher
to hands-on deminer.
Many
thanks to Craig and Hum Relyea in the USA who gave me this site in 2002.
And thanks to the late Hans Georg Kruessen who awarded me the above sculpture in recognition of my work in demining. It is made from recycled assault rifles. While I am no kind of knight, I do wear armour, like horses, and I advocate using long handtools. I also believe in tilting at the odd establishment windmill, of course.
About Andy Smith
