Africa-Press – Angola. An area of six million square meters of land, corresponding to 17 fields, will be demined in 2023, reported this Wednesday, in Luena, the local representative of the National Mine Action Agency (ANAM), Chile Chicanha.
In the demined areas, four thousand 659 explosive devices (ows), three thousand 306 obsolete ammunition of various calibers, 497 anti-tank mines and 36 anti-personnel mines were removed and destroyed.
According to the person responsible, the work covered the municipalities of Moxico (provincial headquarters), Léua, Camanongue and Luchazes, with the actions focusing, fundamentally, on spaces for the implementation of agricultural projects and social infrastructures, such as roads and bridges.
In this way, he continued, the work allowed the reduction from 244 to 227 minefields.
During the period under analysis, nine accidents were recorded resulting in 25 victims, of which seven died and others were injured, mostly affecting children aged between two and 15 years old.
Compared to the same previous period, there was an increase of five cases of accidents and four deaths.
On the other hand, he said that ANAM is concerned about the high rate of collection and sale of ferrous material in the province, as it poses a danger to collectors (people who select and sell recyclable materials).
In the country, the provinces Cuando-Cubango, Moxico, Cuanza-Sul and Bié have the highest level of expulsions, stating that they constitute 75% of the country’s affected areas, with the process expected to be completed in 2028, according to ANAM.
The demining process in Moxico relies on the Mining Consultancy Group (MAG), an international non-governmental organization operating in Angola since 1994, from the National Demining Center (former National Demining Institute – INAD).
It also has the Engineering and Infrastructure Division of the Eastern Military Region and the Seventh Demining Brigade of the Military House of the President of the Republic.
The province, with 223 thousand 23 square kilometers, was the scene of several military conflicts during the civil war, which lasted 27 years.
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