19 September 2000 New Technology in Landmine Detection Projected to Save Lives An official with an American company that has developed a new anti-landmine technology, known as ELF (Eliminate Landmines Forever), says it will greatly increase the effectiveness of landmine detection and clearance around the world, while providing better protection for deminers. The new portable landmine detector developed by ChemTech, a subsidiary of Loch Harris, Inc., uses X-rays to identify and analyze the signals of chemicals emitted by buried landmines. According to Dr. Henry Blair, Chief Scientist for ChemTech, "A significant portion of the effluent from the explosive contained inside the landmine is absorbed onto soil particles in the immediate vicinity of the explosive device." Loch Harris officials demonstrated the ELF system September 13 on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol under the sponsorship of Representative Ron Klink (Democrat, Pennsylvania). Klink has encouraged members of Congress to become involved and support the process to eliminate deadly landmines. Under the supervision of the Capitol police, small samples of explosives TNT, PETN and RDX (cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine) were hidden in boxes. Each of these explosives was subsequently correctly identified by ELF. With a forward-looking range of 2 meters, ELF can identify mines embedded in the ground while identifying the type of explosive employed by the mine. Current demining techniques are both laborious and dangerous as the deminer must slowly probe the earth with a metal rod, while maintaining a distance of 12 centimeters. ELF developers say this new technology will make demining safer because of its additional range and improved detection capabilities. Loch Harris Chief Operating Officer and President Rodney Boone says that ELF "could possibly be used to assist in locating buried landmines and explosives in the Balkans, Mozambique, Cambodia, Vietnam, and other affected countries in the world." Other possible ELF applications may include bomb detection, airport security, and anti-terrorist detection. The State Department estimates that there are between 80 and 110 million landmines in some 70 nations around the world. The American Red Cross says that 26,000 deaths and injuries occur each year due to exploding landmines. For further information about U.S. funding for humanitarian demining on the Web go to http://www.usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/arms/mines (The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov) Return to the Washington File