MAG oversaw the destruction of 4,000 anti-personnel mines in the Republic of Congo on Friday - the eve of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
Part of the efforts to help the country destroy its anti-personnel mine stockpile and reach the objectives laid out in the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, this important controlled demolition took place in Mongo-Tandou, 50km east of the Atlantic port city of Pointe Noire.
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The 4,000 anti-personnel mines, along with 48 anti-tank mines, before their destruction on 3 April. [Photos: Frédéric Martin, MAG R.O. Congo] |
In front of the Minister for National Defence, General Y von Ndolou, and 100 national and international representatives, guests and members of the press, MAG and a local Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team destroyed 1,500 PMN, 2,500 PPM-2 and 509 POM-Z mines.
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In the coming days the bodies of a further 509 POM-Z mines will be melted at the Pointe Noire Foundry.
All the mines, in good working order, came from the Pointe Noire regional stockpile. Additionally, 48 TM-57 anti-tank mines and the 509 POM-Z charges were used as priming charges.
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3 April 09
