MINE ACTION BACKGROUND

Since 1991 MECHEM has been actively involved in commercial mine clearance operations (as evidenced by the MECHEM Track Record). During this period MECHEM personnel have gained valuable experience in the planning and execution of mine action operations worldwide and has established itself as a world leader in the field of commercial demining.

Extensive research and development in the field of counter landmine operations and demining over a period of three decades has created a capacity and a capability to effectively and cost-efficiently execute mine action operations. MECHEM has successfully completed numerous contracts with the United Nations and other clients in various regions of the world, and is registered with the United Nations as a commercial demining company. MECHEM is fully conversant with the international governing regulations and directives, in particular the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) and ensures compliance thereof.

MECHEM's commercial mine action services include:

THE MECHEM 'TOOLBOX' APPROACH TO DEMINING
"A toolbox cannot repair a broken vehicle - it requires a mechanic to select and use the right tool for the right job!"

Due to the unique nature of every landmine related situation, a standard or rigid approach is not always the most suitable solution. MECHEM understands that a standard 'one size fits all' solution will not be found, as every landmine related problem is unique to each circumstance demanding a different and specific solution. MECHEM has devised a 'toolbox' approach to effectively deal with each scenario. This approach entails a thorough analysis of the problem (situation) and the creative use of the right tool for the right job.

MECHEM empowers its deminer/explosive ordnance disposal operator to the extent that they become the primary component in solving a landmine/UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) issue.

MECHEM's approach to the task of demining/EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) is to:

The use of manual and mechanical methods of demining then depends on the requirements of the task, and using the "TOOLBOX APPROACH " to the advantage of its clients.

MANUAL DEMINING
MECHEM has a resource of professionally trained and experienced manual deminers/EOD operators. This capacity can be supplemented from a reserve of deminers who have served with the company as contractors through the years. As MECHEM recognises the importance of building local capacity in the mine affected countries, it gives preference to the recruiting and training of locals for the execution of contracts.

MECHANISED DEMINING
Under certain conditions and circumstances a mechanised approach to demining is cost effective. This has led to the procurement of Mini Flails and Bozena-4 mini flails which have been successfully operated in Croatia , the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Northern Iraq, Eritrea and Sudan.

MINE PROTECTED VEHICLES (MPV) MOUNTED DEMINING
The Mine Protected Vehicle (MPV's) pioneered and developed by MECHEM have been battle proven and offer excellent protection for personnel and equipment against the effects of all landmine blasts. A MPV can withstand the blast of up to three anti-tank mines detonating simultaneously under any of the wheels. These MPVs form the working platform on which we base our mine clearance philosophy and offer a safe working environment for our personnel. This is conducive to establishing a practice of a safe working environment.

MECHEM believes that where the terrain conditions and circumstances allow, the process of demining should, wherever possible, be conducted from the relative safety of a mine-protected vehicle.

Over the past years it has therefore focused on the development of such mine protected vehicle platforms as well as the tools and equipment to execute the demining task from these platforms. MECHEM, however, recognises that the major disadvantages of the global trend towards mechanised demining, is the cost of operating and maintaining the usually very heavy machines in the field and the expectation that they should be utilised under all climatic and terrain conditions.

The MECHEM approach has therefore been to rather focus on lighter platforms, with a selection of tools to choose from. The project manager then has the advantage of selecting the right tools for the right job under the specific climatic and terrain conditions.

SURVIVOR ASSISTANCE
In MECHEM's commitment to get involved in all the five the Pillars of Mine Action as recognised by the United Nations, and as part of its making a contribution to improve the in the lives of landmine victims, MECHEM set out to developed the AFRI-FOOT which is a relatively inexpensive artificial foot that costs approximately 50% of what a normal prosthetic foot would cost.

Why the Afri-Foot:

Projects
MECHEM was contracted by ESKOM to supply Project Management for the manufacture of 200 prosthetic feet to victims in Huambo in Angola , and to execute a capacity building and skills development programme for Angolan technicians at both the Viana and Huambo Prosthetic Clinics.

PRODUCT PHOTOS
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