Mechanical Mine Clearance 

For a mine action programme to be both productive and cost effective it needs to identify the application of tools it has for the tasks it undertakes. A machine is just one tool available to prepare ground for manual clearance teams and mine detection dogs. The machine, depending on its capabilities will remove vegetation and minimize the threat from mines. Once a machine has been used the productivity of the manual deminer or MDD is generally increased reducing the overall cost of the operation. NPA in BiH presently have five machines in operation these are; 

·         The "Tempest" Mini flail - property of NPA BiH - produced in England. The Tempest-5 is a remote controlled, lightweight vegetation cutter and tripwire clearance system. (This machine will be refreshed this year and with some modifications on engine and cooler system will be ready for operations in 2005, a suitable replacement machine such as the Croatian MV 4 needs to be procured to support manual clearance and MDD teams.)  

·          The "Minecat" medium flail - property of NPA BiH - produced in Norway. The MINECAT 230 is a remote controlled medium weight flail unit based on Bobcat  843 chassis. The flail unit attached to the front of MINECAT rotates its 48 chains at a speed 384 rpm, with a stated clearance depth of 20 cm depending on soil condition. (This machine is was broken down but now already prepared for new season 2005 and it is already accredited to conduct technical survey operations.)

·     The Front Loader "Caterpillar" - property of NPA BiH. The armoured Front Loader is used for clearing destroyed buildings as well as for  removal of building waste material and other garbage. The front part, floor and cabin of the machine are additionally armed protecting the operator during  his work. (machine very much useful for operations in urban environments where a lot of rubble or physical obstacles present serious problem for clearance operations)

·         The "Minelifta" large flail - in cooperation with CORUS - produced in England. The MINELIFTA is a cabin operated heavy flail machine. The flail unit is attached to a  KOMATSU D65EX bulldozer. The flail unit attached to the front of KOMATSU rotates its 72 chains at a speed of 180 rpm, with a stated clearance depth of 20 cm.  MINELIFTA is an anti-personnel mine clearance system. (This machine is presently on loan to the organization and is supporting manual clearance operations and technical survey. The plan is to return machine back to the manufacture early 2005). (not in B&H anymore)

·         The "Minewolf" medium flail & tiller - in cooperation with German Government and Minewolf. The MineWolf is a joint German-Swiss mine clearance concept which aims to overcome the limitations of tillers (weight, size, cost and mobility) while enjoying the advantages of flail systems (ground penetration depth, vegetation cutting) by combining both systems in one machine. ( powerful flail and tiller machine produced in Germany with very good mechanical preparation results in 2004 specially on sites in Brcko region TAP) (rented)

click on images to enlarge

The mechanical team presently consists of 1 international and 9 personnel, this figure will be reduced as machines are returned or made redundant. The international position will be funded to the end of 2004 then phased out once technical competence has been transferred. All mechanical assets while working are supported by manual deminers and medical teams.