Blast mines

Modified on 2009/07/23 08:41 by Ole Losvik Categorized as Mines, Save Lives, Save Limbs
There are far more blast mines than fragmentation mines in the world. Blast mines are not as powerful a killer as fragmentation mines. But they are easy to make “in the kitchen” and they are very cheap. In local war zones you can get one PMN mine for US$4 or three PMNs for US$8. Blast mines have a case with high explosive covered by a pressure plate. They are placed on the ground covered by soil or grass, or they are buried in the ground. They can be placed one by one, coupled in series, or as clusters. The mine explodes when the victim steps on it with a pressure of 1-15 kg. A child’s foot is heavy enough. Some blast mines also have an anti-disturbance mechanism. They explode when the mine is tilted a little, they are designed to kill mine clearers. Most blast mines also work underwater.

Blast mines injure in two ways: 
* '''The blast wave.''' The explosion inside the mine is extremely rapid and makes a pressure wave – the blast wave – which moves at 3,000 meters/second in all directions. The pressure of the blast wave from a PMN can be 2 kg per square cm – that is the same as being hit by a truck! The blast wave may tear off limbs, and also cause severe internal injury. 
* '''Fragments.''' Pieces of the mine case (metal or plastic), stones and dirt, pieces of the victim’s shoes and parts of his own limb are shot as high-speed fragments in all directions. So, if the amputation caused by the explosion does not kill, the flying parts of the amputated limb may kill the victim. 

===Light blast mines (30-50 g high explosive)===
The force of the blast wave and the speed of the fragments depend on how much explosive is loaded into the mine. Light blast mines can tear off a forearm or a leg at the ankle. Here are a few examples: 
* Type 72 is manufactured in China and South Africa. It is found everywhere. The mine is made of plastic and is difficult to find with metal detectors. 
* Type 72C has an anti-tilting mechanism bought by China from Motorola UK. Prodding can release a 72C mine. It is a killer meant for mine clearers. 
* M14 is a US-made plastic mine. Copies are made in India and Vietnam. M14s are found everywhere. There is very little metal in this mine, so it is very difficult to detect. 
* SB33 is a sophisticated Italian production. Copies are made by other EU countries as well. SB33s can be placed by hand or scattered by artillery or helicopter. The mine is very difficult to see on the ground – it is small (9 cm), flat like a stone, and has perfect camouflage colors. This mine has a pressure fuse which stops mine clearers from blowing it up with TNT. Yet the mine can explode with the 10-kg pressure from a child’s foot. 

===Heavy blast mines (150-200 g high explosive)===
Heavy blast mines can tear off an arm above the elbow or a leg through the thigh. And they can blow up a car.

* PMN – “the World’s No. 1” mine! No other mine has cut off more limbs and killed more farmers, women and children. The PMN is a Soviet design now copied by many countries. The explosive weight is 200 g, making it the most potent of the blast mines. The mine is heavy (0.5 kg) and works well underwater. 
* VS50 is an Italian design copied by several countries. It is common in Africa, Kurdistan, and Afghanistan. Like its “small brother” the SB33, it is difficult to find with metal detectors. It cannot be blown up on-site with TNT by expert mine clearers, but the pressure from a child’s food will make it explode. 
* No. 4 – the Israeli box mine is used in Lebanon and exported to many African countries. This mine is very deadly and holds 190 g TNT. It can be set to explode with pressure from 1 kg upwards.

===Home-made blast mines===
Most of them are wooden box mines. Any type of tripwire or pressure fuse works. The mine is armed when a hinged lid is lifted. The lid rests on a pin at the end of the fuse. When the pin breaks – at pressures from 1-10 kg – the mine fires. The maker of the mine decides its explosive weight. With 200 g of TNT it can destroy vehicles as well as people. Old wooden box mines are extremely unstable and can be released by ground vibrations.
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