Mine detection and sensing technologies-new development potentials in the context of humanitarian demining

Humanitarian demining aims for a total clearance of all types of landmines from infected areas and infrastructures as efficiently and as safely and as rapidly as possible while keeping cost to minimum. It requires that each individual mine in an area to be located, uncovered and removed or destroyed. The focus is to make these areas economically viable and usable by the people for different activities and to allow people to use their land without fear. The targets of mine detection and sensing technologies are to achieve a high probability of detection rate while maintaining low probability of false alarm. This paper presents the landmine problems, the problems facing humanitarian demining, priorities and an evaluation of mine detection techniques and technologies along with their new development potential in the context of humanitarian demining.