Unexploded Ordnance, commonly known as "UXO", remains a hidden hazard in many areas of Europe today. The term UXO encompasses a range of different types of ammunition or explosives, which can be found in the soil, as a dangerous leftover from the armed conflicts of the past:
- Small arms ammunition
- Hand-grenades
- Artillery grenades, mortar rounds
- Mines (anti-tank, anti-personnel)
- Rockets
- Airplane bombs
One may suspect UXO to be present in the soil, based on the war-time history of a specific location or one may actually encounter UXO during excavation work. In both cases, investigation and clearance may be necessary in order to prevent accidents.
We offer solutions for the detection and safe removal of these hazardous UXO objects:
- UXO or other buried metalliferous objects (cables, cavities, airplane wrecks,…) can be detected using Geophysical survey techniques.
- Detection can be done with portable detectors (i.e. magnetometer or "classic" metal detector), but also with computer-supported, cart-mounted systems that can cover larger areas in a relatively short timespan.
- There are different types of Geophysical techniques available, depending on the type of buried object that needs to be detected:
- Magnetometry
- Electromagnetic Induction (EMI)
- Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
- Geo-Resistivity
- The Geophysical survey data is acquired in combination with GPS data. Therefore the Geophysical data of the investigation area can be presented as a geo-referenced map (Magnetometry, EMI) or geo-referenced profile (GPR, Geo-Resisitivity).
- Interpretation of the survey data can yield a list of suspected UXO objects, with their GPS coordinates and approximate depth of burial.
- We can offer advice on the most suitable Geophysical survey technique(s) to be deployed, as well as the design of an effective and efficient survey.
- We also offer assistance during excavation of the suspected UXO, this includes:
- visual safety assurance while excavating
- real-time coordination with the excavator engineer
- inspection and identification of excavated objects
- contact with authorities for safe removal, in case UXO is actually encountered
- Our personnel is certified under WSCS OCE, which allows for UXO detection work in the Netherlands.