IMAS: 1997 Standards Chapter 3

Section Three: Survey

    INTRODUCTION
    3.1 In order to establish a Mine Action Plan based on governmental and regional priorities, areas that are suspected of being mined or are mined must be quickly identified.  These records form part of the Mine Survey database and are a major planning tool in the prioritisation of tasks and the commitment of mine clearance  resources. Information obtained from the various mine awareness programmes form an important part of the initial Level One survey data.

    SCOPE
    3.2 This document addresses the standards for the levels of survey and covers terminology, recording and survey operations.  It should be read in conjunction with the standards for mine clearance.

    PURPOSE
    3.3 To establish standards for survey activities in order to record the location and actual area of the mine-affected locations.

    DEFINITIONS OF SURVEY LEVELS AND REPORTS
    3.4 A survey has three specific functions or levels: information gathering of a suspected mine or UXO area, a detailed topographical survey including area reduction and marking,  and the completion survey.  The three ‘Levels’ of survey are required in order to gather, collate, refine and record all available information about the mine threat, its location and extent.  All Levels survey are to be recorded on the same form, an example of which is enclosed as Annex A to Section 3. The following definitions for the levels of survey are to be used:

    LEVEL ONE: GENERAL SURVEY

    3.5 The objective of a Level One: General Survey is to collect information on the general locations of suspected or mined areas.  Information must be collected about the areas affected by mines or UXO and areas that are not affected.  Areas must be categorised and the reliability and credibility of data recorded.  The categorising system is detailed in Section Nine.  A Level One: General Survey is a prerequisite for the planning of a Level Two: Technical Survey.  The content and level of detail will vary according to the level of survey undertaken.

    3.6 Survey teams are to record survey mapping activities on a sketch at a scale no smaller than 1: 10,000.

    LEVEL TWO: TECHNICAL SURVEY

    3.7 The objective of a Level Two: Technical Survey is to determine and delineate the perimeter of mined locations initially identified by a Level One: General Survey.  The marked perimeter forms the area for future mine clearance operations.  The Level Two survey requires trained and properly equipped mine clearance personnel with the necessary skills to undertake and accurately record the survey work.  Where possible, with time and resources permitting, these teams should also undertake area reduction work in order to accurately define the outer perimeters of the minefield.

    3.8 Survey teams are to record survey mapping activities on a sketch at a scale no smaller than 1: 10,000.

    LEVEL THREE: COMPLETION SURVEY

    3.9 The Level Three: Completion Survey is conducted in conjunction with the mine clearance teams and accurately records the area cleared.  The benchmark is to be left in the ground to serve as a minimum marker of the initial minefield area.  It is also recommended that permanent markers be used to indicate turning and intermediate points of the perimeter of the mined area.

    3.10 Once the clearance task has been partially or totally completed a clearance report which, with the Level Three : Completion Survey and in some cases a Quality Assurance check, will form the basis for the documentation necessary for the  issuing of an authorized acceptance certificate.

    SURVEY REPORTS
    3.11 The reporting format must be standardised at all levels of survey and an example of the standard form is enclosed as Annex A to Section Three.  All survey forms are to be prepared in both the national and one of the six major UN recognised languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish).

    INFORMATION SOURCES, CLASSIFICATION AND SURVEY RECORDS

    INFORMATION SOURCES
    3.12 Information gathering should include, but is not limited to the following sources:

        a) Governmental departments;

        b) United Nations organisations such as WFP, UNICEF and UNDP;

        c) Military Units, including Force HQs and Engineer units;

        d) Police stations;

        e) Local hospitals;

        d) Mine and UXO clearance organisations;

        e) Prosthesis centres;

        f) Mine Awareness programmes and local personnel.

    INFORMATION CLASSIFICATION
    3.13 Mine information is to be categorised as : unknown, suspected (high and low risk) , reported, and cleared.  The reliability and credibility of the reported information is to be indicated using the M1 to M4 system confidence levels as detailed in Section Nine - Minefield Information Management Standards.

    SURVEY RECORDS AND REPORTS
    3.14 Before initiating survey operations standards must be established for the recording of information so that it will be in an acceptable format for analysis.   Records must be kept in both written, graphic and digital formats, where possible, so that information can be transferred by digital and hard- copy medium to facilitate archiving and to provide a back-up.

    3.15 The minimum level of information depends on the requirement of the authorising body and varies depending on the survey level.  The required information for the various levels of survey is identified on the Survey form.

    3.16 The status of information can only be changed when supported by a written formal report.

    3.17 Mine information reports form historical data and should always be archived and never destroyed.

    TEAM COMPOSITION, TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS

    3.18 The survey team is to consist of a minimum of two personnel trained in survey and demining (one to act as the team leader) and must include a medical orderly or paramedic.  Where possible the medical orderly/paramedic should have some basic knowledge of mine clearance operations.  The survey teams are to be trained to the standards detailed in Section Two: Training and Qualifications, their duties and methods of operation should be outlined in greater detail in the SOPs.

    COORDINATE SYSTEMS AND GPS

    3.19 The default system for benchmark and landmark coordinates is to be latitude and longitude.  UTM, MGRS or other reference systems can also be used at the local level, however, the type, projection and datum point must be indicated in the database and sketch maps.  This is to allow accurate transposing of information to other base maps.

    3.20 Where possible, a Global Positioning System (GPS) should be used to get a fix on the centre of a point.  Because of the errors inherent in current hand held GPS systems they are not to be used for coordinates of turning points on a perimeter.  Major landmarks, incidents and the minefield benchmarks may be fixed with hand held GPS.  Differential GPS with an error of ± 5 cms may be used for turning points.  The use of differential GPS is not covered in this document.
     

    MINEFIELD MARKING AND AREA REDUCTION

    MINEFIELD MARKING
    3.21 The purpose of minefield  marking is to create a visual demarcation of the mined area to warn people of the presence of mines.  Mine marking may involve construction of a physical barrier to warn and prevent people and livestock from accidentally entering a mined area.  The types, methods and standards for mine and minefield marking are detailed in Section Four - Minefield Marking.

    AREA REDUCTION AND EXPLORATORY BREACHES
    3.22 Area reduction is an essential part of the Level Two Survey task.  It can be undertaken by a variety of methods.  The SOP is to clearly state the manner and methods to be utilized.

    3.23 If exploratory breaches are used, the drills and methods utilized are to be outlined in the SOPs.

    3.24 Landmarks and benchmarks must be accurately recorded to a maximum error of ±10 metres and the outer perimeter is to be surveyed by use of a closed traverse with an error or misclose of 1 metre.

    3.25 Once the minefield outer perimeter has been clearly defined, it is recommended that a safety zone is created between the defined mined area and the perimeter fence.  This area is to marked as detailed in Section Four - Minefield Marking and details stipulated in the SOPs.

    DOGS AND MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT
    3.26 Dogs and mechanical equipment should be used to assist in both survey and area reduction tasks.  The methods of work are to conform to the relevant standards outlined in this document.  The drills and methods used are to be specified in the SOPs.

    MEDICAL SUPPORT
    3.27 The survey team, if detached from the immediate area of other mine and UXO clearance activities, must have the same medical support standards as that detailed in Section Seven - Medical.


     

    MINEFIELD INFORMATION SYSTEMS

    MINEFIELD INFORMATION SYSTEMS
    3.28 The purpose of a minefield information system is to manage the cumulative information obtained from reports submitted by the mine awareness, minefield survey, mine clearance teams and other sources.  Data should be stored in both document and digitised format.

    3.29 Standards for recording and managing information resulting from minefield survey and clearance operations are explained in Section Nine - Minefield Information Management Systems.

    3.30 Copies of all survey information, reports and sketches are to be given to the National or Mine Action Centre database.
     
     

    Annex A to Section 3
    Survey Form


    Type of Report: Marking Level 1 Survey Level 2 Survey Level 3 Survey
    Task No:  Date into Database (dd/mm/yy):
    ID No for mined Area:   Entered By:
    Report No:  Report Date (dd/mm/yy):

    Survey Team Data

    1 Organisation:  
    2 Marking/Survey Team Supervisor:  
    3 Marking/Survey Team Leader:  
    4 Start of Marking/Survey (dd/mm/yy):  
    5 Finish Of Marking/Survey (dd/mm/yy):  
    6 Level 1 Survey conducted by:  
    7 Level 2 Survey Conducted by:  
    8 Clearance Organisation:  
    9 Clearance Supervisor:  
    10 Clearance Team Leader:  
    11 Clearance Start (dd/mm/yy):  
    12 Clearance Finish (dd/mm/yy):  
    13 Level 3 Survey Conducted by:  
    14 Verification Conducted by: When (dd/mm/yy):
    15 QA Conducted by: When (dd/mm/yy):
    Mapping Information
    16 Name of Nearest Town:  
    17 Coordinates (Grid Ref):  
    18 Municipality:  
    19 Canton:  
    20 Map Name:  Map Series:
    21 Map Sheet:  Map Edition:
    22 Map Scale: Map Datum:
    23 Map Projection: Grid /Coordinate System:
    Mined Area Location Information
    24 Landmark Coordinates (Lat Long (Deg/Min/Sec))    
    25 Landmark Description:    
      Coordinates fixed by:  GPS Resection
    26 Benchmark Coordinates ( Lat Long (Deg/Min/Sec))    
    27 Benchmark Description:    
      Coordinate fixed by: GPS Resection
    28 Datum Point Coordinates ( Lat Long (Deg/Min/Sec))    
    29 Datum Point Description:    
      Coordinates fixed by:  GPS Resection
    30 Benchmark identified ? (shown on sketch map) yes  no
    31 Safe Lane identified ? (shown on sketch map) yes no
    32 Datum Point identified ? (shown on sketch map)  yes no
    33 Safe Areas identified ? (shown on sketch map) yes no
    Perimeter of Mined Area
      From To Bearing Dist(m) Grid Coord TP IP
    34 Landmark Benchmark          
    35 Benchmark Datum Pt          
    36 Datum Pt TP1       1  
    37              
    38              
    39              
    40              
    41              
    42              
    43              
    44              
    45              
    46              
    47              
    48   Datum Pt          
    Minefield Information
    49 Who laid the mines/UXO?      
    50 When was the minefield laid?      
    51 Is the mined area marked? Show on Map Yes No By Who:
    52 Was there fighting in this area? Yes No  
    53 Final use for Cleared Area:      
      Refugee/IDP Agriculture Utilities Development Project
      UN Site NGO/Aid Line of Comms Other
    54 Depth of Clearance Recommended:   Actual Depth Cleared:
    55 Reliability of Information: M1 M2 M3 M4
    56 Confidence Level: 1 2 3 4
    57 Assessed Risk: High Low    
    Mine/UXO Type Information
    58 Device types in area: AT AP UXO Mixed
    59 Type: Model: Number: BT/Anti lift fitted:
    60 Type: Model: Number: BT/Anti lift fitted:
    61 Type: Model: Number: BT/Anti lift fitted:
    Clearance Operation Data
    62 Number of Clearance Units used:
    63 Manual methods used:
    64 State SOP for manual method employed:
    65 Dog methods used:
    66 State SOP for dog method employed:
    67 Mechanical method used:
    68 State SOP for mechanical method employed:
    69 Combination method used:
    70 State SOP for combination method employed:
    71 Mine/UXO destruction methods used:
    72 Metal detectors used? Make: Model: Mk:
    73 Metal detectors used? Make: Model: Mk:
    74 Maximum detection depth in cm:
    75 Total area cleared:
    76 Problems encountered during clearance task?
    77 Areas/Obstacles left uncleared:
    78 Description:
    79 Method of marking:
    Terrain Data
    80 Type of Location:
        Urban Coast Rural Wooded
        Mountain Agricultural Industrial Open
        Mix Battlefield Other  
    81 Soil Type:
        Clay Chalk Stony Ploughed
        Sand Loam Mixed Other
    82 Soil Conductivity/Anomalies:
    83 Water Table Depth and Conditions:
    84 Prominent Ground Features:
    85 Slope:
        0-5% 5-10% 10-15% 15-20%
        20-25% 25-30% 30+%  
    86 Drainage Features:
        Rivers Lakes Canals Drainage
        Ditches Irrigation Channels  
    87 Can the vegetation be removed by burning or chemicals:
        Burning Chemicals No  
    88 Was the vegetation be removed by:
        Burning Chemicals Mechanical Manual
    89 Control Measures:
        Fire Breaks Local Fire Service Fire Appliances Run Off control
    90 Description of Control Measures taken:
    91 Prevailing Wind Direction:
       
    AM: N NE E SE S SW W NW
    PM: N NE E SE S SW W NW
    Road Access Data
    92 Nearest town:
    93 Distance from town to minefield (in km):
    94 Travel time between town and minefield:
    95 Route/highway name:
    96 Route Type:
        All weather wheeled All weather tracked Limited All Weather
        Fair weather wheeled Fair weather tracked Other
         Describe:
    97 Route Classification: Load Class Maximum Weight
    98 Number of Lanes:
    1 2 4 More
    99 Width (meters):
        Carriage way: Shoulders: Ditches:
        Total width:    
    Bridge Access Data
    100 Bridge Classification: Load Class Maximum Weight
          One way Two way
    101 Bridge Type:
    102 Number of Lanes:
    1 2 4 More
    103 Bridge Condition:
      Good two ways Good one way Poor one way Cannot be used
    104 Bridge Span (m):
    Hand Over Data
    105 Area to be handed over to:
    106 Marking maintenance confirmed:
    107 Mine Awareness conducted for local inhabitants:
    Administration and Logistic Data
    108 Proposed Accommodation:
    109 Nearest water supply:
    110 Nearest food supply:
    111 Electricity supply: Yes No  
    112 Fuel available: Yes No Where:
    113 Telephone: Yes No Where:
    114 Secure Storage/Parking: Yes No Where:
    115 HF Radio checked to HQ and Spt elements:
      Yes Good Fair Poor No
    116 VHF Radio checked to HQ and Spt elements:
      Yes Good Fair Poor No
    117 Helicopter Landing Site: Yes No Coordinates:
    118 Airstrip: Yes No Coordinates: Runway legnth:
    Contact Details
    119 Nearest UN site:
        Call sign: Freq: Channel:  
        Coordinates: Appt: Tel:  
        Contact: Address:    
        Time to site: Cas data: Yes No
    120 Police Station:
        Call sign: Freq: Channel:  
        Coordinates: Appt: Tel:  
        Contact: Address:    
        Time to site: Cas data: Yes No
        Time to site: Cas data: Yes No
    121 Level 1 medical site:
        Call sign: Freq: Channel:  
        Coordinates: Appt: Tel:  
        Contact: Address:    
        Time to site: Cas data: Yes No
    122 Level 2 medical site:
        Call sign: Freq: Channel:  
        Coordinates: Appt: Tel:  
        Contact: Address:    
        Time to site: Cas data: Yes No
    123 Level 3 medical site:
        Call sign: Freq: Channel:  
        Coordinates: Appt: Tel:  
        Contact: Address:    
        Time to site: Cas data: Yes No
    124 Medevac:
        Call sign: Freq: Channel:  
        Coordinates: Appt: Tel:  
        Contact: Address:    
        Time to site: Cas data: Yes No
    Completed By
    Position
    Signature
    Date    		 Checked By
    Position
    Signature
    Date