U.S. Humanitarian Demining Research and Development Program

Guinea-Bissau's landmines were laid as long ago as the 1963-1974 war of independence from Portugal and as recently as March 2006 by Senegalese rebels. Contaminated areas are found along Guinea-Bissau's borders with Senegal and Guinea, as well as within and surrounding the capital, Bissau. In Bissau, one site surrounds a destroyed army arsenal where an explosion contaminated about a square kilometer of residential area. In other areas, landmines restrict access to agricultural land in areas of few economic alternatives and affect the poorest segment of Guinea-Bissau's population

Sources: Landmine Monitor Report, 2006

MAXX

MAXX is a small, remote-controlled, modified commercial off-the-shelf mini-excavator designed as a ground preparation tool for mine action programs. MAXX is able to access hard to reach areas including ditches, culverts and treetops using the vegetation mulching, vegetation cutting and soil sifting attachments. The mulching attachment can cut vegetation up to 20 millimeter in diameter without disturbing the soil or the landmines that may be present. The survivability of the system is greatly improved by the standoff between the chassis and the tool attachment.

PARTNERS: National Mine Action Coordination Centre of Guinea Bissau