Indicators and locations

  Indicators Occurrence on the test sites Relevance (strength) A priori detection likelihood Remarks
    GP Pristeg Ceretinci GP Pristeg Ceretinci Daedalus E-SAR  
  Higher priority indicators                  
1 Trenches and man-made embankments Yes Yes Yes High High High Medium Medium Mines were laid ahead, in the direction of the other warring party. Difference in vegetation might be noticed if the soil retains water in trenches. Trenches can be open or covered. In Glinska Poljana and Ceretinci they are dug in the ground, whereas in Pristeg, most are built up with stones and earth.
2 Bunkers Yes Yes Yes High High High Medium Medium Mines were laid ahead, in the direction of the other warring party. Bunkers are only small shelters. In Glinska Poljana and Ceretinci, they are made of earth and wood. In Pristeg they are made of stones, reinforced with any hard material found, wood and bags filled with soil containing bauxite.
3 Shores of rivers Yes No No High Not applicable Not applicable High Medium Especially where it is easier to cross the river
4 Bridges (including destroyed ones) Yes No No High Not applicable Not applicable High Medium Bridges are important strategic features and require special attention. Mines could be laid on or around them.
5 Tracks that are no longer in use Yes Yes Yes High High High Medium Medium/low (Partially) covered with vegetation. In Ceretinci especially through woods. In Pristeg, especially through the bush.
6 Agricultural areas that are no longer in use Yes Yes Yes Medium Medium High High High A difference has to be made between land that is abandoned since the conflict because people fear it may be mined, and parcels that are not cultivated for any other reason.
7 Crossroads, especially crossings of main roads with tracks no longer in use Yes Yes Yes High High High High Medium Allows to use fewer mines to protect more ways. In Ceretinci, especially in woods.
8 Irrigation/drainage channels No Yes Yes Not applicable Low High High Medium Were used as trenches in Ceretinci
9 Shores of ponds Yes No No High Not applicable Not applicable High High Approaches to water bodies could be mined.
10 Edges of forests Yes Yes Yes High Low High High High One of the most relevant locations in Ceretinci.
11 Power supply poles Yes Yes Yes High High High Medium High Power lines are strategic features
12 Low stone walls No Yes No Not applicable High Not applicable Medium Medium Were used as trenches/embankments in Pristeg. Mine-suspected, especially on both sides of entrance to a plot surrounded by a stone wall (inside the plot).
13 Soft edges of hardtop roads Yes Yes No Medium Medium Not applicable Medium Low Could be mined to hinder the progress of military vehicles.
  Lower priority indicators                  
1 Tank and cannon holes Yes Yes Likely High High High Very low Very low Due to characteristics, likelihood of detection is low/very low. Difference in vegetation might be noticed if the soil retains water (cf. Glinska Poljana)
2 Craters Yes Yes Likely High High High Very low Very low Due to size, likelihood of detection is very low. Difference in vegetation might be noticed if the soil retains water (cf. Glinska Poljana). A mine explosion does not burn the soil. Destruction craters are bigger but result from demining.
3 Wrappings, packing material (of mines) Unlikely Yes Unlikely High High High Very low Very low Due to size, likelihood of detection is very low. Near trenches.
4 Wells Yes Yes Unlikely Medium High Low Very low Very low Due to size, likelihood of detection is very low.
5 Narrow passages like for instance tracks or footpaths cut into the hillside Likely Likely No High High Not applicable Medium/Low Medium/Low Due to characteristics, likelihood of detection is medium to low.
6 Detours along paths or tracks Likely Likely Likely Medium Medium Medium Low Low May indicate that the main track or footpath is mined
7 Destroyed military vehicles Likely No No Medium Not applicable Not applicable Low Low Destruction may occur because of grenade rather than mine explosion.
8 Foxholes Yes Yes Yes High High High Very low Very low Due to characteristics, likelihood of detection is very low. Difference in vegetation might be noticed if the soil retains water (cf. Glinska Poljana). Their presence on the 3 test sites is confirmed by CROMAC's expert.
9 Exposed mines Likely Likely Likely High High High Very low Very low Due to size, likelihood of detection is low. Exposed mines are a potential indicator for other buried or exposed mines
  Indicators requiring other information sources                  
1 Mine accidents Yes Yes No Low Low Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Available from CROMAC.
2 Mine incidents Yes Yes No High High Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Available from CROMAC.
3 Confrontation zone Yes Yes Yes High High High Not applicable Not applicable Available from CROMAC. To combine with other indicators; mines are more likely laid between the positions of the 2 warring parties.
4 Hilltops and elevated plateaus Yes Yes No High High Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable DEMs and maps are available. Hilltops were used as artillery bases. No AT mines are to be found on hill sides that are too steep for tanks, only AP mines. Mines were laid all around, with one entrance is left free of mines.
5 Houses used by the military (rooms, ammunition stores, HQs, bunkers) Yes Yes Unlikely High High High Not applicable Not applicable Information available from the population and/or military documents.

Last Updated on 12/3/2002
By Yann Yvinec
Email: yvinec@elec.rma.ac.be