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The goal of the Technical Survey is to
reduce the number of mine/UXO accidents and enhance the effectiveness of CMAC
operations through the collection and analysis of accurate mine information.
 Information is the most important tool for the technical survey. Solid
information can greatly contribute to area reduction of identified minefield.
The validity and accuracy of the information collected is crucial to determine
the classification of minefields and the level of risk that they pose to local
communities. Information collection must be accompanied by field observation to
collect physical evidence of the contamination and of the characteristics of
the terrain. Technical Survey teams will need to approach as close as possible
the minefield and even enter in it based on the information provided by local
key informants.
Once the information is collected, proper analysis will be required to make
effective recommendations for risk reduction clearance and marking activities.
A special emphasis is required to develop quality mapping. Maps and sketches
will not only show the perimeter of minefields but also village features
(houses, roads, paths, infrastructure) as well as precise locations of mine
accidents for both human and known animal casualties. This information will be
crucial to identify appropriate risk reduction tasks.
Finally, Technical survey goes beyond the gathering of precise information; it
is an analytical tool to be used for the development of a risk reduction
strategy by means of target village identification, organized deployment of
support teams and cost effective management of clearance operations.
Mine Marking Team
 Mine marking in one of the most difficult activity in mine action because there
is a lack of reliable and documented information related to the minefields. The
objective of the MMT is to locate and define the boundaries, and subsequently
mark off mined areas for clearance to be conducted at a later stage. In
addition to that function, the MMT is authorized to conduct limited and urgent
clearance to a specific size of the area.
Thus, the MMT are to map the mined areas requested for clearance, define the
boundaries of minefields, and sketch the areas cleared by demining platoons
after they have been cleared.
CMAC currently deploys 19 MMT. They are deployed in support and under the
management of the demining units, but still remain under technical control of
the survey office based at CMAC headquarters in Phnom Penh. Each MMT consists
of a team leader, a second in command leader, and 3 additional members.
The team is equipped with a 4 WD pickup vehicle mounted with long range
communication equipment, 2 mine detectors, global positioning system (GPS), and
a set of mine marking equipment. All members of the team were
previously deminers and have gone through specific training in map reading, navigation,
driving, GPS, and other necessary skills.
Community Mine Marking Team
 The Community Mine Marking concept was established and implemented in 1997.
This project complements CMAC large-scale mine clearance carried out by
demining platoons. The aim of this project is to secure the safety of rural
Cambodian communities by reducing casualties and supporting development
activities in high risk areas. The project focuses on small mined areas which
have a large impact on the communities affected.
CMMT are mobile, flexible, and workable demining teams which can respond to
urgent needs of villagers in mine infested areas in order to reduced the risk
of injuries and deaths to members of the community. Thus, CMMT clear a lot more
than they mark off. They can also handle to a certain degree the disposal of
UXO that poses similar dangers to villagers.
Operationally, CMMT work closely with CBMRR to respond to the requests of the
community to provide safe paths, areas for water wells, school sites, health
care centers, pagodas, ponds, and access to water sources. As they clear safe
access to these areas, they mark off the edges of minefields with long term
concrete markers to warn people not to venture into those areas.
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