Landmine Detection

APOPO has been working in Mozambique since 2003 engaged in the development of a low cost and efficient mine detection methodology. The aim has been to facilitate the clearance of landmines and unexploded ordinance (UXO), and the reduction of landmine victims, whilst reducing the cost of these activities to a level where they can be affordable for the countries that need them, rather than relying on foreign aid or donor support to fund the necessary work.

Since 2006 APOPO has run a fully operational mine clearance program in Mozambique and in 2008 was tasked as the sole operator for continuing the clearance of Gaza Province in Mozambique. The goal is to clear all known remaining minefields in Gaza Province by 2014, in accordance with Mozambique’s mine-ban treaty extension request deadline.

In order to meet this goal APOPO uses a collaborative approach called “district-by-district evaluation.” Leaders and community members from surrounding villages of a suspected area are interviewed to learn about where accidents may have occurred in the past, where they believe any remaining suspected areas are, as well as any background information about why mines were laid, as people who fought in the war(s) may still be members of that community. This information, in conjunction with existing surveys by demining operators or previous clearance activities, helps to root out any remaining suspected areas, or unexploded ordinance (UXO). It also aims to verify and document that all community members, in all districts, are confident to state that there are no known remaining areas containing landmines.

The APOPO Mine Action Program in Mozambique uses a three-tiered approach: bush cutters clear vegetation from the area, allowing access for manual deminers to enter the minefield and prepare safe lanes and boxes for the mine detection rats (official HeroRAT name in the minefield) to search. The locations that are indicated by the rats are then followed up by manual deminers, who detect and destroy the mines.

Once all the land in a district is complete, there is a ceremony where the land is officially handed back to the community. From that point forward, the community is able to return to their homes, start farming, build necessary infrastructure etc.

By the close of 2009, APOPO had returned 1,312,027 square meters of land to the community.

To learn more about why mines were laid in Mozambique see the Mozambique Mine History page on our APOPO site.