The EU Joint Research Centre has produced high resolution maps, useful for de-mining, for Afghanistan

Brussels, 01 July 2002

Ispra (IT): The JRC has produced maps for DG External Affairs useful for the efficient planning and execution of ongoing de-mining activities.

One of the main problems of operational de-mining is the lack of appropriate spatial data, as up-to-date maps at sufficient scales (such as 1:50.000 scale topographic maps), do not exist in most mine-affected countries. In order to address this problem, the Humanitarian Security Unit of IPSC began a research activity to study various state-of-the-art satellite image-based spatial data production techniques.

The resulting maps can be used for de-mining planning, operation execution and documentation. Initial high precision prototypes on selected cities of these, created by the JRC have been given to the Interim Government of Afghanistan. Commissioner Chris Patten presented them to the Afghan Prime Minister in May. The JRC is currently looking into the possibility of expanding this activity to a global digital mine atlas, which might fulfil the most urgent needs of the de-mining community.

Contact: alois.sieber@jrc.it
Url: http://humanitarian-security.jrc.it/ind ex.html

Joint Research Centre
http://www.jrc.cec.eu.int/index.asp