An Australian technology company has reported a significant advancement in landmine detection, claiming to have developed a device that can definitively identify the presence of hidden explosives underground.

This technology, based on magnetic resonance, aims to provide a more reliable solution than traditional metal detectors, which can yield numerous false positives due to the presence of shrapnel and other metal debris on former battlefields.

Nick Cutmore, the chief technology officer of MRead, emphasizes that the company has created a device akin to a metal detector, yet instead of merely picking up metal signals, it can detect explosive compounds directly.

He articulated a comparison between their technology and MRI scans used in medicine, where radio waves are employed to create images of internal structures.

This method enables the detection of explosive molecules, fundamentally increasing the precision of landmine clearance operations.

Each year, an estimated 6,000 individuals are killed or injured by landmines, underscoring the urgent need for improved detection methods, particularly given the widespread use of landmines despite the Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty established nearly thirty years ago.

The innovation from MRead was notably tested in Angola, specifically on minefields that Princess Diana visited in the 1990s, in collaboration with the demining organization The HALO Trust.

The trials successfully demonstrated the detection of RDX, a common explosive used in landmines.

Recently, the technology reached another milestone as TNT, which is often found in landmines, was identified during laboratory testing conducted in Australia—a significant development in landmine detection capabilities.

Bruce Edwards, who oversees partnerships at The HALO Trust, remarked on the potential impact of the technology, stating its ability to detect both RDX and TNT could represent a major breakthrough in the field of demining.

A new prototype that can simultaneously detect both TNT and RDX, which are present in approximately 90% of global landmines, is currently under development.

Field trials for this prototype are anticipated to begin in 2026. Edwards highlighted the excitement surrounding the advancements, particularly noting their potential application in regions like Ukraine, which has become increasingly hazardous due to unexploded weapons since the onset of the Russian invasion in 2022.

In Ukraine, millions of explosives are estimated to have been left across the landscape, with nearly a quarter of the country at risk of contamination.

The removal of these threats could take decades, emphasizing the critical importance of reliable detection technology.

Edwards, who previously served as the Australian Ambassador to Ukraine, remarked on the continual danger posed by landmines in various global contexts, including Angola, Cambodia, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka, pointing to the ongoing risks associated with unexploded ordnance that remains in areas affected by conflict.