Chapter 4

MANUAL MINE CLEARANCE

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Humanitarian demining techniques used during each project may differ
according to equipment, the terrain, type of mines / UXO, etc. All procedures used
in clearance operations are to be fully explained in step-by-step detail in the mine
action organisations SOP. The following are established humanitarian demining
clearance procedures and although, certain techniques may vary between mine
action organisations, these shall be recognised as the minimum standard required
by the UNMAO in Sudan.

2. STANDARDS, METHODOLOGY & ACTIONS ON

2.1 The following are established humanitarian demining clearance procedures
and although, certain techniques may vary between mine action organisations,
these shall be recognised as the minimum standard required by the UNMAO in
Sudan.

a. Clearance Depth: The minimum depth when searching for mines is 13

cm (130 mm), measured from the surface of the ground to the top of the
mine. Any reduction must be authorised by the UNMAO. The depth shall be
increased when required.
b. Clearance Lane: A manual mine clearance deminer is responsible for
clearing a one metre wide lane using one or a combination of the following
recognised methods:
(1) Hand-held metal detector.
(2) Prodding.
(3) Excavation.
c. Visual Search: Prior to conducting a manual search, a visual search of
the unclear area shall be conducted. As a minimum, the area where the
manual search is to be performed shall be visually searched. The following
should be considered when conducting the visual search:
(1) Tripwires, cords.
(2) Protruding fuses, mines, UXO, booby-traps.
(3) Disturbance to the ground.
(4) Depressions, holes, mounds.
(5) Suspicious objects (inconsistent to the surroundings).
(6) Other mine / UXO indicators (packaging, components, animal
remains).

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d. Detection of Tripwires: If the vegetation permits, a tripwire feeler may

be used to locate tripwires. This should be made from light-gauge wire and
fabricated in such a way to allow the detection of both slack and taut wires.
Starting from a crouched/ kneeling or prone position, the tripwire feeler is
moved along the ground, forward of the base stick and raised slowly
upwards until clear of the vegetation or head height when standing. This is
completed a minimum of three times, over the full width of the clearance
lane and overlap. In order to deploy the trip wire feeler safely, the operator
should be able to see the end of the feeler at all times. If the vegetation
does not allow the use of a tripwire feeler, the search is completed using the
eyes and hands. After a thorough visual check of the area, search the area
by slowly moving the hands forward, gently parting any thick vegetation that
may obscure tripwires. The deminer shall not pull vegetation and avoid
touching any trip wires.
e. Clearance of Vegetation: The clearance of vegetation is to be done in a
safe, controlled method, avoiding any disturbance of vegetation outside the
width of the lane plus overlap. If necessary, one hand shall be used to hold
the tree, branch, or clump of vegetation, while the other uses the cutting
tool. All vegetation is to be cut to as close to the ground as is safely possible
and placed in a cleared area, ensuring that it does not become an obstacle.
When cutting vegetation, the operator shall ensure that a visual inspection is
made and that the tool does not make contact with the ground. Caution shall
be taken when cutting vegetation to avoid heavy vegetation from falling into
the unclear area.
f. Use of Metal Detector: Prior to its use, the metal detector shall be
checked to ensure that it is functioning correctly. The detector shall be used
to check the one metre wide lane and, as a safety margin, a minimum 10 cm
and maximum of 50 cm overlap to the sides of the lane. The metal detector
search shall be conducted to a maximum distance of 50 cm forward of the
base stick, ensuring that the area is checked at least twice. The detector
search process shall incorporate an overlap, ensuring that the distance
moved forward is at least ten centimetres less than the distance searched
with the detector, therefore, providing a minimum of ten centimetres safety
margin. The sensitivity of the metal detector is to be checked regularly in
accordance with the manufacturer guidelines and organisation SOP to
ensure that it is capable of searching the ground to the required depth.
Details for the calibration of the detector shall be included in the
Organisation SOPs.

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Limit of travel of metal detector

Position of
Min Base Stick
10cm Overlap
after search

Cleared Max 50 cm
Max 40cm

1m Uncleared
Area

Progression
of lane

10-50cm
Overlap

Figure 4.1 Use of the Metal Detector

g. Detector Signal, Isolation & Marking: Prior to investigating the

detector signal, the precise location of the signal shall be identified and
marked. Nothing shall be placed on the area of the detector signal. A
signal marker shall be placed before the closest point of the signal or
isolation markers maybe used to mark the extremities of the signal. No
attempt should be made to mark the rear of the signal from this position. If
it is deemed necessary, then, it should be approached from a cleared area
from another side. Extreme caution shall be taken when using these
markers to ensure that they are carefully positioned outside the site of the
signal.

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Limit of travel of metal detector

Detector
Signal
Isolation Maximum 50 cm
Markers
Signal
Marker

1m Uncleared
Area

Progression
of lane

Figure 4.2 Detector Signal Marking

h. Prodding & Excavation: Once the precise location of the signal has
been identified using the metal detector, the source of the signal shall be
investigated to identify it. This shall be done by prodding and/or excavating
(1) Prodding shall commence a minimum of ten centimetres back
from the nearest point of the signal and to the required width, which, is
dependent on the size of the signal. All prodding is to be at an angle
</> than thirty degrees and at maximum intervals of two point five
centimetres. The prodder is to be used with an even motion, avoiding
any excessive force or stabbing. The depth prodded shall be
dependent on the ground conditions, search depth and tool design. If it
is not possible to conduct prodding from the surface of the ground to
the required search depth, then a certain amount of excavation shall be
conducted in order to achieve the required prodding depth.
Alternatively, the prodding procedure may be replaced with excavation
(sapping) only. In hard ground, resulting from extremely dry conditions,
water could be used to soften the ground before prodding commences.
(2) Excavation (Sapping) is used to reveal the identity/source of the
signal. A hole is dug a minimum of ten centimetres back from the
nearest point of the signal to a minimum depth of fifteen centimetres.
The trowel (or similar tool) is used to slowly remove the soil towards
the location of the source of the signal. Any excessive pressure and

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abrupt movements with the trowel shall be avoided. The prodder may
also be used in conjunction with the excavation process.
If an object is not located after using the prodder and excavation to the
required depth, the Supervisor will decide whether further investigation is
required.
i. Action on Locating Metal The metal shall be carefully removed from the
ground and placed it in the metal contamination pit. The area where the
metal was removed from shall be checked visually and with the metal
detector for additional signals, prior to moving forward.
j. Action on Locating Mines/UXO The deminer shall stop mine clearance
activities, place a mine marker a minimum ten centimetres before the
mine/UXO and notify the supervisor through the chain of command. The
supervisor is responsible for ensuring all actions relating to the removal or
destruction of the mine/UXO in situ are carried out correctly and by a
qualified EOD operator. The lane may be cordoned and mine clearance
activities started in a new lane. No personnel shall be allowed past a located
mine/UXO in a one metre wide clearance lane. In circumstances where the
mine/UXO is not destroyed or removed immediately, the deminer shall be
moved to an alternative lane or clearance shall be conducted to safely by-
pass the mine/UXO. No mine clearance should be conducted within fifty
metres of a located mine/UXO.

Min 10 cm

Mine Marker

Figure 4.3 Marking of Located Mine / UXO

k. Disposal of Mines/UXO Where possible all mines/UXO should be

destroyed in situ. If this is not possible, or proves to be impractical, the
mines/UXO shall be manually neutralised/ disarmed and moved to a secure
location. All mines shall be pulled prior to neutralising/disarming if it is
suspected that they are booby-trapped. The planned destruction of located
mines should be carried out during or after each working day unless a
specific safety hazard (or lack/limited amount of explosives) prevents this.
Only qualified EOD personnel shall conduct demolitions or render safe
procedures.
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Where mines/UXO are not destroyed on the day that they are found,
they are to be accurately reported in the organisations daily clearance
log and destroyed as soon as possible. If they are not destroyed by the
end of the working week, the organisation is to ensure they are
included on the weekly progress report for the task submitted to the
UNRMAO and an explanation given.
l. Action on Locating a Tripwire The deminer shall stop mine clearance
activity and place 3 x small red stones a minimum of ten centimetres before
and in the direction of the trip wire (see Figure 4.4) and then notify the
supervisor. The supervisor is responsible for ensuring that both ends of the
tripwire are located and appropriate action is taken depending on what is
found at each end. It is stressed that the method employed in tracing the
tripwire should at all times ensure that deminers tasked do not become
isolated. Conditions should always allow for swift, safe and effective
Casevac to be conducted should an accident occur. Whilst tracing a tripwire
there shall be no other activities within fifty metres.

10cm

Figure 4.3 Marking of tripwire

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m. Pulling Procedure When it is necessary to remotely pull a mine/UXO or

other item, the supervisor is responsible for the pulling procedure. All
personnel not involved in the pulling operation are to be withdrawn to a safe
area and sentries posted. A pulling cable (made of non-stretchable
material) shall be unrolled and laid along the clear ground between the
pulling point and the location of the item. A sandbag fulcrum should be
placed at a safe distance before the item to afford some blast/fragmentation
protection, act as a barrier, and provide a greater angle to dislodge the item
from its position. Before attaching the cable to the item, a check of the
cable and the area of the pull shall be conducted to ensure that there are no
kinks, breaks or obstacles which may impede the pulling procedure. EOD
evacuation and safety distance calculations should be used to determine
how far the pulling point is located from the item to be pulled. This distance
shall only be reduced to a minimum of 50 metres when:
(1) There is adequate protection from blast and fragmentation in
relation to the item to be pulled and the threat from secondary devices.
(2) The person conducting the pull is wearing full PPE (helmet/visor
and body armour) and is close the ground, ensuring that the PPE is
affording the maximum protection possible. This shall only be
conducted as a last resort and when there is no alternative protection
from blast and fragmentation.
(3) The following shall be considered when conducting the pulling
drill:
(a) The type of ordnance (eg, mine, mortar, grenade, projectile,
rocket, sub-munition).
(b) The function of the ordnance (eg, blast, fragmentation).
(c) The condition of the ordnance (eg, fused/unfused,
unfired/safe, blind).
(d) The explosive quantity of the ordnance.
(e) Booby-traps / secondary devices.
(f) Proximity of personnel, animals, equipment and buildings.
Once all personnel have retired to the safe area, a hook/clip is attached or
the cable is tied to the item. The item is pulled in a slow, continuous
movement, avoiding any sharp, jerking action. A minimum wait-time of 60
seconds is to be allowed before approaching the item. The type of UXO or
mine being pulled shall dictate requirements for extended wait times. If signs
of smoke are seen from the area where the item is located, a wait-time of at
least 30 minutes shall be enforced, commencing from the last signs of
smoke. After the wait-time has elapsed, the sentries shall remain in position
while the pulled item is checked. This is a one-man risk and shall be
conducted by an EOD qualified person. Once the item is identified and
made safe, the original position of the item is then checked as per normal
manual mine clearance procedures for any sign of mines, UXO or booby-
trap devices.

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n. High Metallic Areas In areas where the metallic content of the soil is
high, the metal detector may be ineffective. The detector procedure shall be
replaced with a complete prodding and/or excavating procedure to ensure
that all mines/UXO are located to the required depth. The minimum depth to
be excavated is 15 centimetres and the complete width of the one metre
wide lane shall be investigated to this depth. The detector should be used
to regularly check the soil contamination level and confirm whether the
complete prodding and excavation process can be replaced with the
detector procedure. Alternatively, mark the boundary of the high metallic
area for clearance by MDD or mechanical means. The size of the area, type
of terrain and the availability of alternative clearance assets will determine
the most efficient method of clearance to use.
o. Mountainous and Rocky Terrain In areas where the ground is
mountainous and rocky, there may be a requirement to remove rocks (E.g.,
physical hazard, suspicion that a mine/UXO is beneath the rocks, ghost
signal). Therefore, the Supervisor shall make a decision on the best
clearance method(s) (E.g., lifting, detector search, prodding and/or
excavation, pulling drill). When removing rocks by hand, caution shall be
made so as to avoid disturbing the ground and the rocks should be lifted
vertically.
p. Clearance of Obstacles During the clearance of minefields, obstacles
should be identified and special clearance drills adopted as required. (E.g.,
sapping, pulling, EOD).Those obstacles that cannot be cleared immediately
are to be marked and if necessary fenced for future clearance operations.
The supervisor on site must give consideration to the approach and
clearance method used for each type of obstacle encountered.
q. Burning of Vegetation in Unclear Areas Burning of unclear areas may
be conducted in order to remove vegetation to facilitate mine clearance
operations. Prior to commencing burning, the organisation concerned shall
liaise with the UNMAO and local authorities. Caution must be exercised by
the organisation and the burning must be controlled in order to prevent the
undesired burning of other areas and cause an unacceptable risk to the
local population. The results from burning must be considered, such as, the
altered state and instability of mines and UXO. Any demining organisation
conduct burning of unclear areas is to ensure that the following precautions
are adhered to:
(1) Inform the UNMAO and local authorities.
(2) If possible, inform the local emergency fire services.
(3) If necessary, construct a firebreak to prevent the fire from
spreading.
(4) Ensure that adequate precautions are taken to extinguish any
small fires in cleared areas. (eg, fire extinguishers, sand).
(5) Calculate the blast / fragmentation safety distance depending on
the threat (eg, mines/UXO) and post sentries accordingly.
(6) Inform the UNMAO and relevant authorities on completion of
burning.
(7) Allow a 24 hour soak time, from the last signs of smoke before
conducting demining operations in the burned area.
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r. Working Hours A manual mine clearance deminer shall not work for
longer than sixty (60) minutes before taking a break of at least ten (10)
minutes. The working time may vary between organisations and specific
situations (eg, climate), however, the aforementioned times shall be
adhered to. A normal working day for a manual mine clearance deminer
shall not exceed 6 hours actual mine clearance work a day. In excessive
climatic conditions, the working hours may be reduced or the daily routine
changed. A safe and sensible approach shall be made by the demining
organisation supervisor in order to achieve the best possible mine clearance
results without compromising the safety of demining personnel.

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