More Terms: MAIC's extensive glossary (link opens in a new window)

Anti-Handling Device

A device intended to protect a mine that is part of, linked to, attached to or placed under the mine and that activates when an attempt is made to tamper with or otherwise intentionally disturb the mine.

Anti-Personnel Mine (APM/APL)

A mine designed to be exploded by the presence, proximity or contact of a person that will incapacitate, injure or kill one or more persons.

Anti-Tank Mine (ATM/ATL)

A mine designed to be exploded by the presence, proximity or contact of a vehicle, either wheeled or tracked, that will immobilize or destroy the vehicle, causing injury or death to the occupants. ATMs can be equipped with anti-handling devices to discourage their neutralization.

Area Reduction

The act of defining and marking the extent of a mined area, usually undertaken as part of a Level 2 technical survey.

Base Line

The line that is used to initiate all demining operations, and the point from which all clearance lanes start. Also known as the start line.

Booby Trap

An explosive or non-explosive device deliberately placed to cause casualties when an apparently harmless object is disturbed or a normally safe act is performed.

Demining

The activities that lead to the removal of mine and UXO hazards, including technical survey, mapping, clearance, marking, post-clearance documentation, community mine action liaison and the handover of cleared land. Demining may be carried out by different types of organizations, such as NGOs, commercial companies, national mine action teams, or military units. Demining may be emergency-based, humanitarian or developmental.

Donor

Any government, individual, foundation or other philanthropic entity that provides funds and/or non-monetary resources for the specific purpose of alleviating the effects of the landmine problem.

Explosive Detecting Dogs (or Explosive Sensing Dogs)

Dogs that are specifically trained to detect the vapors emitted by explosives contained in improvised explosive devices, mines and munitions. Some dogs can also be trained to detect tripwires and non-explosive booby traps. The dogs are normally referred to as explosive or mine detecting dogs (MDDs).

Explosive Ordnance

All munitions containing explosives, nuclear fission or fusion materials, or biological and chemical agents. This includes bombs and warheads; guided and ballistic missiles; artillery, mortar, rocket and small arms ammunition; all mines, torpedoes and depth charges; pyrotechnics; clusters and dispensers; cartridge and propellant-actuated devices; electro-explosive devices; clandestine and improvised explosive devices; and all similar or related items or components explosive in nature.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)

The detection, identification, removal and destruction of unexploded ordnance (UXO). EOD may be undertaken
  1. As a routine part of mine clearance operations upon discovery of UXO.
  2. To dispose of UXO discovered outside mined areas (this may be a single piece of UXO or a larger number of items located in a specific zone).
  3. To dispose of explosive ordnance that has become hazardous through passage of time, by damage or unsuccessful destruction efforts. Flail System: Vehicle-mounted devices typically composed of cylindrical drum structures housing a collection of chains on a horizontal bar that spins, beating the ground ahead of the vehicle to detonate anti-tank mines.

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)

Persons who have been forced or obliged to leave or to flee their homes or places of habitual residence, in particular as a result of, or in order to avoid the effects of armed conflict, situations of generalized violence, violations of human rights, or natural or man-made disasters, and who have not crossed an internationally recognized state border.

Landmine

Any munitions designed and manufactured to be detonated after it has been laid by the presence, proximity or contact of a person or vehicle. Mine Action Center (MAC): Usually refers to a facility containing personnel who coordinate and assist the national mine action activities in a country.

Mine Awareness

A method of informing, teaching and relaying messages about landmines to the public. Mine awareness encompasses MRE, mine awareness training for peacekeepers, multimedia presentations, and what action to take when a mine or UXO is found. It is intended to modify behavior patterns to reduce casualties. One result of mine awareness activities is the increased flow of information back to MACs about mine and ordnance locations.

Mined Area

An area declared dangerous due to the presence or suspected presence of mines.

Minefield

In land warfare, an area of ground containing mines laid with or without a pattern.

Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)

A organization consisting of private citizens that maintains a consultation status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. NGOs may be professional associations, foundations, multinational businesses or simply groups with a common interest in humanitarian assistance activities (development and relief).

Orthotics

The science of using an orthotic device or orthosis (commonly known as a brace or splint) by applying it externally to the limb or body. The purpose can be to provide support, protection or replacement of lost function. Orthotic devices are utilized to eliminate abnormal gait motions and allow healing to occur.

Prosthesis

An artificial device used to replace a missing limb.

Render Safe Procedures (RSPs)

The procedures that enable the neutralization and/or disarming of mines and munitions to occur in a recognized and safe manner.

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

A bomb, artillery or mortar round, mine or other explosive “device” that has the potential to detonate and cause casualties. It may have been fired, dropped or launched (or have been prepared for use), yet remains unexploded due to malfunction, design error or some other cause.

More Terms: MAIC's extensive glossary (link opens in a new window)