Clearance types
Manual Mine Clearance
Manual mine clearance is a core clearance discipline carried out by trained deminers using detectors, hand tools and strict safety procedures. It’s used to systematically locate, expose and remove mines and other explosive hazards where precision and close, controlled investigation are required.
Manual clearance can include:
Systematic lane-based investigation using detectors and hand excavation
Marking, recording and documentation of cleared areas
Quality assurance and quality control prior to land release
Integration with EOD for the disposal of located items
Manual methods are often used in combination with mechanical preparation or dog teams to improve efficiency and safety.
Animal Detection Systems
Mine and Explosive Detection Dogs, referred to as Animal Detection Systems, are deployed to detect explosive vapours and assist in identifying contaminated areas, particularly in low‑density or complex environments. Dogs are operated by trained handlers and integrated into wider clearance workflows.
Typical applications include:
Intrusive survey and area reduction
Verification following mechanical or manual clearance
Detection support in roads, verges, rubble and open terrain
Quality assurance checks prior to handover
Dog teams are deployed in accordance with applicable international standards and are integrated with manual and mechanical assets to ensure consistent coverage and verification.
Mechanical Demining
Mechanical demining is used to prepare ground, expose or neutralise explosive hazards and support follow‑on clearance activities. GCS deploys unmanned and protected platforms equipped with tools such as flails, tillers, rollers and manipulators.
Mechanical operations can support:
Vegetation removal and soil processing
Exposure or destruction of mines and ERW
Ground preparation for manual clearance or dog teams
Increased safety through operator stand‑off
Mechanical systems do not replace clearance teams. They are integrated as part of a broader land release methodology, supported by verification and quality management.
Battle Area Clearance (BAC)
Battle Area Clearance is applied in areas affected by bombardment or military activity where landmines are not expected to be present. The objective is to remove surface and sub‑surface UXO so that land can be safely accessed and reused.
BAC typically includes:
Evidence‑based survey and hazard classification
Surface and sub‑surface search using detectors and mechanical support
EOD response for located items
Documentation and certified land release
Range Clearance
Range clearance addresses high densities of UXO, practice munitions and fragments resulting from live‑fire training. Operations require specialist techniques due to scrap density, deep‑buried items and environmental considerations.
Activities can include:
Survey and risk assessment of impact zones
Mechanical processing and fragment removal
Manual and EOD clearance of UXO and blinds
Environmental and safety management
Certification for safe reuse of training areas
Urban and Debris Clearance
Urban clearance addresses explosive threats concealed within rubble, collapsed structures and damaged infrastructure. Operations are complex due to structural instability, secondary hazards and civilian presence.
Urban and debris clearance can involve:
Urban‑adapted survey and risk assessment
Manual, mechanical, canine and remote asset integration
Debris processing and controlled access creation
Coordination with municipal authorities and reconstruction teams
Quality management and documentation for safe handover
Underwater Explosive Ordnance Clearance
Underwater clearance addresses UXO and mines in rivers, ports, lakes and coastal environments that threaten navigation, infrastructure and human safety. Operations are conducted using diver‑based or remotely operated systems, supported by survey and environmental controls.
Typical tasks include:
Underwater survey and threat mapping
Detection and identification using sonar and magnetometry
Controlled disposal or recovery of explosive ordnance
Post‑clearance verification and reporting
Availability depends on operational context, national requirements and agreed scope of work.
