In Russia huge stocks of antipersonnel mines are piled up. Preparedness for their disposal is one of the conditions under which our country could accede to the 1996 Geneva (Protocol II) and 1997 Ottawa conventions on the limitation and ban of these kinds of ammunition. Another reason is the short term of the disposal of all these stocks. In 2000 guaranteed term of storage for existing PFM-1 AP mines expired, thus their further storage and transportation become more and more dangerous.

Today several possible methods of these mines disposal exist. However, all of them are far from being perfect and safe. Ammunition disposal by burning it in the open or destroying it by blasting with pressure charges result in environmental disruption. Mines disposal in furnaces and armored chambers is very costly and is not always possible.

The specialists of the close joint-stock company "Research and Production Association "Ecodem" (founded by the Russian Ammunition Agency and represented by FSUE "SRPE "Bazalt", Federal Association "Dual Purpose Technologies" and Russia's MoD represented by Central Research Engineer Institute No 15) offer a radically new solution of this problem. This is the so called grouting method. It consists in injecting a special hardening compound into the cluster bomb free space accomodating PFM minelets. The compound fills in the cavities and solidifies thus sealing existing and potentially dangerous zones of leakage of liquid explosive consisting these mines charges and precluding from structural elements displacing. Mines become irreversibly unserviceable as live ammunition (disarmed), safe in handling and can be used in various fields of national economy, for example, as blast hole charges components in the mining industry.

In the process of the method development over 200 live clusters bomb units have been disarmed in the last two years. The method is patented in Russia, the international patent is at the stage of drawing up.

Independent method evaluation has confirmed the possibility of considerable cutting down of terms and expenses on existing mines stocks disposal. This method ensures 100 per cent record of all disarmed mines quantities. The tests of explosive cartridges obtained from the grouted cluster bombs during soil mining works showed that the efficiency of their use was three times higher than that of equivalent trotyl charges. The method will also allow the use of this technology for disposal of other kinds of ammunition.

The Research and Production Association "Ecodem" invites potential investors to take part in the project realization, that is in the creating of a mobile automated system for clusters disarmament (MASCD). The mobile system rated output is 480 charges per 8-hour shift. The system can be installed at places of mines storage for 7 days, it occupies a floor space of 120 to 150 sq m. As few as 6 operators are requires to man the system. Disarmament estimated costs will not exceed 1 USD per mine with complete process ecological safety.

The project developers suppose that Canada's participation in project funding as an Ottawa convention initiator as well as the Ukraine's contribution as one of the first signatories would be advisable. In addition, on the territory of the latter a considerable stock of PFM-1 mines is accumulated. It should be taken into account that the problem of AP mines disarmament confronts now almost all ex-Soviet Republics and some Eastern Europe countries. So we are ready to discuss prospects for cooperation with state and private organizations of post-socialism countries. The Ecodem Research and Production Association is prepared to familiarize all interested experts with its developments.

We offer a phased form of project funding (18 to 24 months). Project total cost is 19 mln USD.

For more information, contact:
Phone: (499) 369-01-22
E-mail:moscow@bazalt.ru