Colombia kicks off national project to clear mines

The Colombian government launched a demining project on Thursday over 10 hectares of land near Bogota using the latest technological and military resources. The project aims to rid the scourge that has devastated the country for so long.

This achievement could be attributed to the agreement reached this March in Havana,in Cuba, between the government and the rebellious Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) to start nationwide demining.

(Soundbite) Oscar Orduz, Military Researcher
"We support the demining groups from every perspective, one way or another, whether it is technology or supply of explosives. We aim to end this disaster, which harms the country, especially the farming community.”

Among the top weapons developed by the project was Propellant, which is a chemical mixture that can destroy landmines on site while minimizing the effects on human life.

Colombia’s Military Industry (Indumil), which is charged with manufacturing explosives and ammunitions, spearheaded the project in conjunction with the National Universities of Javeriana, the Andes University and the Natural Parks of Colombia.

(Soundbite) Luis Alberto Garzon, Indumil Officer
"There are five fields in the project. The research field will study soil samples from different locations. The training field can provide dogs and rats for explosives detection. Other fields are responsible demining experiment, staff management and humanitarian assistance."

According to official estimates, mines could be found in the rural areas of 668 out of 1,123 of Colombia’s municipalities. This is a result of FARC’s five-decade armed resistance against the government.

Since 1990, landmines have killed more than 2,000 people and wounded 9,000 in Colombia, 38 percent of them were civilians.