By Elena Lesley : De-miners generally use bombs to get rid of bombs. "Typically we use explosives and, once the mine is destroyed, we go back to clear the area," said Rupert Leighton, country program manager for Mines Advisory Group Cambodia (MAG). This may soon change. MAG, working with UK specialists, will begin Cambodian trials of a new de-mining device in May. The instrument, codenamed "Dragon", uses a high-temperature flare to burn out mines without causing them to explode. "It fills a niche market, where there might be a mine you don't want to blow up because it's near a house or a school," Leighton said. The Dragon can be placed next to a mine or attached to a wire above it. It was created by de-mining specialists Disarmco, along with arms experts at Cranfield University at Shrivenham. The Dragon's inventors claim the device is safer than other de-mining methods and does less damage to the environment.
Kids playing near Buddha's statue and mine hazard
in Pailin [ Photo AP ]
