25.01.2008

Komatsu machine to demine anti-personnel landmines

Demining machine. Photo source Komatsu

Komatsu Ltd. and Japan Mine Action Service have signed an agreement to jointly demine anti-personnel landmines in the contaminated regions and reconstruct local communities after demining. Based on this agreement, the first reconstruction project is scheduled to be launched in Cambodia in May 2008. Komatsu demining equipment will be rented at no cost to JMAS. The company also will take part in the safe development of agricultural land, digging of wells, building of schools, and repair and building of roadways and bridges. Komatsu will pay the operating expenses and transportation cost to Cambodia.

Since 2003 Komatsu has developed and tested demining machines for anti-personnel landmines in Cambodia and Afghanistan. A Komatsu demining machine has been deployed in Afghanistan since September 2007. The demining machine is capable of demining 500 square meters of land on average per hour, demonstrating an outstanding improvement of work efficiency over manual demining. The machine is based on Komatsu bulldozer, so, it is possible to replace the mine-igniting attachment on the front with different attachments for land clearing, road construction and other tasks after demining.