Table Of ContentAuthors: Dieter Guelle,Andy Smith,Adam Lewis,Thomas Bloodworth
EUROPEAN
COMMISSION
A book about
metal detectors,
covering detection procedures
in the field, and the
testing and evaluation
of metal detectors
for humanitarian demining
Metal detector handbook
for humanitarian demining
A book about metal detectors, covering detection procedures
in the field, and the testing and evaluation of metal detectors
for humanitarian demining
Authors
Dieter Guelle, Andy Smith, Adam Lewis, Thomas Bloodworth
Acknowledgements
We acknowledge help, advice and invaluable input from the following individuals. While they share in any merit this
book may deserve, any errors and failings remain the authors’ alone.
For advice and assistance with technical aspects, special thanks to Yogadhish Das. For help and advice on a wide variety
of other aspects, our thanks to Jacky D’Almeda, Roger Hess, Tim Lardner, Russell Gasser, Ken O’ Connell, Franciska Borry,
Marta Garotta, Gian Luigi Ruzzante, J. T.(Theo) van Dyk, Edgardo Maffia, Pete Hindy, and Chris Leach.
Many other people have helped in small ways — too many to mention by name. Our thanks to you all.
© All photographs and diagrams are copyright of the authors unless otherwise acknowledged.
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Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 2003
ISBN 92-894-6236-1
© European Communities, 2003
Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. All photographs and diagrams are copyright of the
authors unless otherwise achnowledged.
Printed in Italy
Foreword
Working in a research environment, it is always of con- books available, which present the actual state of knowl-
cern when I am confronted with statements, like ‘To date, edge and which are written by experts in both mine clear-
technology has had only a marginal impact on mine ance and technical development in easily understandable
action equipment.’ Therefore, it was a very rewarding language. The handbook in front of you is such an
moment when, earlier this year, I was able to communi- example combining these vital ingredients.
cate the results of the European Committee for Standard-
An interesting point that arises from the handbook is that
isation (CEN) working group on an agreement by an
deminers working in the field can provide useful informa-
international community of experts on how to test and
tion to researchers and developers by making simple
evaluate metal detectors to be used in humanitarian mine
measurements to record the conditions that they meet,
clearance.
for example, by measuring the soil properties.
During the work on the establishment of this workshop
I am pleased that the Joint Research Centre (JRC) has been
agreement, it became obvious that there are at least two
able to contribute to the production of this handbook
areas related to metal detectors that need further
and I hope that it will soon become a reference for those
research. The first one is the electromagnetic characterisa-
who are confronted with the challenging task of mine
tion of soils and terrain in general terms, in order to pre-
clearance.
dict the performance of metal detectors in different
mined areas. The second one is the assessment of the per-
Dr Alois J. Sieber
formance of mine detection on the basis of reliable statis-
Head of Unit,‘Humanitarian Security’
tical testing. Work in both demanding areas of research is
Institute for the Protection and Security
now in progress.
of the Citizen (IPSC)
Joint Research Centre, European Commission,
In order to ensure that our research efforts will make an
Ispra (VA), Italy
impact in humanitarian mine clearance, it is vital that the
results can be implemented by those working in the field.
To achieve this, it is important to communicate the results
achieved, through training sessions and presentations in a
digestible way. It is therefore important to have hand-
3
Introduction
Dear readers, This handbook instructs the reader on how to confidently
assess their detector’s ability in the place where they must
I have been using metal detectors of one kind or another work. The problem of electro-magnetic ground is ad-
for over 20 years. First with the US Army, and for the last dressed in detail, including advice on how to predict the
five years while establishing and managing humanitarian clearance-depth that will be possible in other areas. The
clearance programmes in the Balkans, Asia and Africa. book also includes detailed advice on how to conduct com-
Part of my role has been to train local deminers in how to parative trials of metal detectors.
use a range of different detectors in both shallow and
deep-level searches. None of this is theoretical. It is all based on genuine hands-on
experience and the solutions are practical to use in the field.
Over the last 10 years, detector designs have changed and The book includes a quick field-user index and is even printed
the features available have become more sophisticated. on tough, washable paper so that it will survive field-use.
With this, I have had to learn constantly about the
For those who want to understand how detectors work in
strengths and weaknesses of the new equipment. Manu-
more detail, there is a technical chapter. Even this is writ-
facturers have usually done their best to assist, but they
ten in simple language so that most people will be able to
rarely understand exactly what we need in the field or the
understand it.
conditions we will be using it in. So I have usually had to
find my own ways of getting the answers I was looking for.
I recommend all trainers to read this book and all site
managers to carry a copy into the field. If the rules out-
Over the past 10 years, accidents have occurred because
lined in this book are followed and adapted when neces-
deminers and their supervisors have not understood the
sary, deminers/operators will be safer and we will all be
limitations of the detector they were using. It is essential
able to have greater confidence in the depth and
for the user to know the real detection depth that can be
thoroughness of clearance that has been achieved.
achieved at the task site and what is a safe rate of for-
ward advance. Both of these depend on what the de- Cheers,
miner is searching for, but fortunately the smallest target Roger Hess
that may be present in a particular area can usually be Demining and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technical
predicted. Consultant
5
Abbreviations and acronyms
Throughout this book, the following abbreviations and EMI electromagnetic interference
acronyms are used.
EOD explosive ordnance disposal
ADP Accelerated Demining Programme ERW explosive remnants of war
AG anti-group (mine) FFE free from explosive
AP anti-personnel (mine) FNA fast neutron analysis
AT anti-tank (anti-vehicle) (mine) GC ground compensating (of metal detectors)
CCW United Nations Convention on Conventional GICHD Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian
Weapons Demining
CEN European Committee for Standardisation GPR ground-penetrating radar
CWA European Committee for Standardisation GPS Global Positioning System
workshop agreement
GRH ground reference height
DDAS Database of Demining Accidents
HD humanitarian demining
DNT dinitroluene
HE high explosive
EDD explosive detecting dog
ICBL International Campaign to Ban Landmines
EDR explosive detecting rat
IMAS International Mine Action Standards
EIT electrical impedance tomography
IPPTC International Pilot Project for Technical
EM electromagnetic Cooperation
7
IR infrared UXO unexploded ordnance
ITEP International Test and Evaluation Programme WWI World War One
ITOP International Test Operational Procedures WWII World War Two
standards
NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
NGO non-governmental organisation
NQR nuclear quadrupole resonance
PE plastic explosive
QA quality assurance
RDX Research Department Explosive (cyclonite)
SD self-destruct
SDA self-deactivate
TNA thermal neutron analysis
TNT trinitrotoluene (explosive)
UN United Nations
UNADP United Nations Accelerated Demining
Programme
UNMAS United Nations Mine Action Service
8
