ABOVE-GROUND MINES

Usually, these Mines are designed to kill rather than to injure. When they explode, they spray shrapnel over a wide area. They are usually placed on the ground and attached to a tripwire over a path. They may be disguised by grass or undergrowth, but may also hang from a tree or stake, or be partly buried with only the fuse exposed or hidden in long grass.

Tripwire activated anti-personal mine

Tripwires can be connected to a fuse that will be activated and set off an explosion when the wires are pulled or cut. These types of Mines are commonly mounted on a wooden stake, which may rot, causing the mine to drop and making it more dangerous. Tripwires are typically very thin and are found in several colours and in non- reflective metal so they easily blend in to sand or grass, and sometimes the above ground Mines themselves are hidden behind trees, hung in trees, partly buried with just fuses exposed, or hidden in tall grass.

Consequently, aboveground Mines may be almost as difficult to see as below ground Mines.

Remote controlled anti-personal mine

Main Points: Above ground Mines are often hidden next to paths, in high grass or hushes, or behind trees. Pulling or cutting a tripwire sets off some aboveground mines.

Anti-personal mine PROM-1

DanChurchAid-ACT International Mine Action Team Torgeir Nergaard Kosova January 2000