Mine action (MA). Activities which aim to reduce the social, economic and environmental impact of mines, and ERW including unexploded sub-munitions. Note: Mine action is not just about demining; it is also about people and societies, and how they are affected by landmines and ERW contamination. The objective of mine action is to reduce the risk from landmines and ERW to a level where people can live safely; in which economic, social and health development can occur free from the constraints imposed by landmine and ERW contamination, and in which the victims’ different needs can be addressed. Mine action comprises five complementary groups of activities: 1. Explosive ordnance risk education; 2. Humanitarian demining, i.e. mine and ERW survey, mapping, marking and clearance; 3. Victim assistance, including rehabilitation and reintegration; 4. Stockpile destruction; and 5. Advocacy against the use of anti-personnel mines. A number of other enabling activities are required to support these five components of mine action, including: assessment and planning, the mobilisation and prioritisation of resources, information management, human skills development and management training, quality management, and the application of effective, appropriate and safe equipment. (Source: IMAS 04.10 Second Edition, Amendment 10, February 2019) Mine action organisation. Refers to any organisation (government, military, commercial or NGO/civil society) responsible for implementing mine action projects or tasks. The mine action organisation may be a prime contractor, subcontractor, consultant or agent. (Source: IMAS 04.10 Second Edition, Amendment 10, February 2019) Non-Technical Survey (NTS). Refers to the collection and analysis of data, without the use of technical interventions, about the presence, type, distribution and surrounding environment of explosive ordnance contamination, in order to better define where explosive ordnance contamination is present and where it is not, and to support land release prioritisation and decision-making processes through the provision of evidence. (Source: IMAS 04.10 Second Edition, Amendment 10, February 2019) Power Source. A device that either stores or releases electrical or mechanical energy. The key elements of information about a power source are its type / source, number of batteries and their configuration (series or parallel), its voltage (if electrical) and how it is connected to close an IED switch. (Source UNMAS IED Lexicon)
Pressure. A switch designed to function when pressure is applied in a predetermined direction (plate, tube, plunger, crush wire). (Source UNMAS IED Lexicon)
Sensor. A switch used to detect change in heat, light, movement, vibration, electromagnetic frequency, sound or magnetic field. (Source UNMAS IED Lexicon)
Suspected Hazardous Area (SHA). An area where there is reasonable suspicion of explosive ordnance contamination on the basis of indirect evidence of the presence of mines/ERW. (Source: IMAS 04.10 Second Edition, Amendment 10, February 2019)
Switch. A device for making, breaking, or changing a connection in an IED. A single switch can have multiple functions (i.e. arming and firing). (Source UNMAS IED Lexicon)
Time. A type of switch that functions after a period of time. (Source IMAS 04.10 Second Edition, Amendment 10, February 2019)
Unexploded Ordnance (UXO). Explosive ordnance that has been primed, fuzed, armed or otherwise prepared for use, or has been used. It may have been fired, dropped, launched or projected yet remains unexploded either through malfunction, design or for any other reason. (Source: IMAS 04.10 Second Edition, Amendment 10, February 2019)
Glossary of terms
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