CAMBODIA

Minefield Tour - part 5

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Vegetation is the major factor affecting deminer productivity. Studies suggest that more than half of the time is needed to clear the vegetation so that metal detectors can be used close enough to the ground surface.

Often tripwires are expected - deminers have to clear vegetation very carefully.

 

Bamboo copses up to 15 metres high like this pose formidable obstacles to deminers. More often these will be left, surrounded by red cord and mine signs.

(bamboo1.jpg)

   Close-up of the bottom 3 metres of the copse above. Thorns add to the difficulties. (bamboo2.jpg)
 

 Scrub vegetation like this is trimmed to the extend needed to get access for deminers. Deminers leave as much as possible for villagers to use for fuel and building materials. (veg1.jpg)

 

Dry grass vegetation has been cleared with clippers before the metal detector operator arrives to scan the next half metre. Metal detector operator is marking suspected mine location for prodding.

(veg2.jpg)

 

Deminer clearing grass at end of currently cleared lane.

(veg3.jpg)

 

Tangled vegetation remains after demining: this area has been cleared in the last 6 months.

(veg4.jpg)

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All graphics by Demining Research Team. Aug 1998.
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