The US announced that by the end of the year they’ll phase out non-detectable landmines. That sounds like a good thing.
But what’s the value of a detectable landmine? And how are they detectable exactly?
On the one hand, if they’re very detectable (like they’re painted bright red or start beeping when you get close to them), they won’t be much value in a war situation.
On the other hand, if they’re not very detectable, it defeats the whole purpose of this elimination exercise, i.e. civilians blowing up on them years after a conflict.
a detectable mine would most likely have a significant iron content to make them easily, well, detected by a magnetic sensor. The problem has been that many mines are made with plastic or even wood to prevent detection by a mag. sensor.
The fact that a mine is detectable doesn’t neccessarily negate it’s purpose. These mines can still be buried or otherwise concealed to make it harder for the enemy to find them. And just because you detect them, doesn’t mean they’re ineffective. The enemy still has to find out how big the minefield is, and clear a path through once they’ve determined where the mines are. A minefield is usually under observation, so while the enemy is looking things over, you can arrange for a nice visit from Mr. Field Artillery or other direct fire options to keep them on their toes.
A boyhood friend of mine is the CEO of a defense contracting company that develops mine detection equipment using ground penetrating radar. His company is called NIITEK Corporation and has a web site that may answer some of your questions.
This is not an endorsement for his company, and I have no financial stake in the success or failure of his venture.
Minefields aren’t intended to kill large numbers of the enemy as much they’re intended to channel his movement and slow him down. Once one or two soldiers get blown up, its not like the rest of the unit is going to march blindly into the minefield after them. They’re going to figure out how to go around it, or call someone in to clear it.
Making mines detectable with metal detectors probably won’t have a big effect on their usefulness. They’ll still slow down the average infantry unit, which is the whole point. And it will make them much easier to clean up afterwards, reducing friendly and civilian casualties.