ANAMA using cutting-edge technology to detect and clear landmines, unexploded ordnance PHOTO

The Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency (ANAMA) continues its critical work not only in clearing minefields but also in removing unexploded ordnance from former military depots and testing grounds across the country.

In a statement to Caliber.Az, ANAMA officials highlighted the use of advanced equipment and technologies that meet international safety and efficiency standards. Among the tools deployed are high-precision mine detectors capable of identifying metal objects buried as deep as six meters underground.

A key component of this effort is the use of an 8-channel magnetometer system, which detects changes in the magnetic field to locate hidden threats. To ensure accurate positioning, ANAMA teams also rely on Differential GPS (DGPS) technology for pinpoint geolocation.

All data collected during operations is analysed with specialised software, resulting in the production of detailed field maps. This comprehensive system significantly enhances the agency’s ability to detect and safely remove mines and other explosive remnants of war buried at considerable depths.

Azerbaijan has endured the severe consequences of a 30-year-long conflict and occupation by Armenia, which has led to extensive landmine contamination across the country. Roughly 12% of Azerbaijan's territory is polluted by approximately 1.5 million landmines and an unknown number of unexploded ordnances (UXOs). This mine pollution has made Azerbaijan one of the most mine-contaminated countries in the world.

According to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry's April 2025 data, since the end of the Second Karabakh War of 2020, 392 people have been either killed or injured due to landmine contamination by Armenia. The total number of mine-related victims since the beginning of Armenia's aggression in the early 1990s exceeds 3,400, with 358 children and 38 women among the casualties. The rise in mine victims is attributed to Armenia's failure to provide accurate minefield maps and its deliberate planting of mines in civilian areas such as roads, cemeteries, and other infrastructure behind the former frontlines. From 2020 to 2023, new minefields were created, extending over 500 kilometres of territory.

Humanitarian demining remains a top priority for Azerbaijan's government. The ANAMA is the primary institution responsible for demining operations. To date, approximately 140,000 hectares have been cleared of 119,946 mines and UXOs. However, vast areas remain contaminated, significantly hindering the country’s recovery and the safe return of 800,000 displaced citizens. Azerbaijan has invested heavily in demining efforts, utilising advanced technologies and deploying all-women demining teams. Despite this, the country is funding the majority of its demining operations independently, and international assistance is crucial for further mitigating the humanitarian impact and facilitating the safe restoration of affected regions.

By Khagan Isayev