Commission support for new de-mining technologies

An international exhibition and a series of workshops on de-mining technologies will be hosted by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, in Ispra, Italy, from 29 September to 1 October 1998. This event, an initiative of Mrs. Edith Cresson, European Commissioner for research and innovation, aims to help implement the high-level political commitments made recently. It will also serve to monitor progress in the field of humanitarian de-mining, in particular, the proposals for action presented during the Humanitarian De-mining Conference held in Washington DC, USA, from 20 to 22 May 1998.

Key features of the event include an exhibition on the latest de-mining technology, a series of workshops, and training and information courses. The workshops will aim to address the following issues:

- Improved coordination of national R&D programmes and initiatives within EU Member States and the establishment of a coherent EU programme;
- Progress in the harmonization of, and cooperation in, R&D for mine clearance technologies;
- Situation reports from mine-infected areas and related support requirements, to provide an overview of existing technologies and establish future operational requirements;
- The development of the application of geographical information systems (GIS) for mine-infected areas;
- Technical standards for the verification of mine detection devices and for characterizing mines;
- Progress in new techniques for minefield survey and for close-in detection.

In addition a series of training and information courses on new mine detection technologies will be offered. These will cover the following topics:

- Ground-penetrating radar;
- Thermal infrared sensors;
- Advanced metal detectors;
- Artificial noses;
- Geographical information systems (GIS);
- Advanced methods for minefield survey.
For further information, please contact:

European Commission
Joint Research Centre
Mrs. Dorit Schlittenhardt
TP 020
I-21020 Ispra (VA)
Tel. +39-332-789370/789889; Fax +39-332-782435/785409/785818
E-mail: dorit.sclittenhardt@jrc.org