Mine

A landmine is a munition designed to be detonated by the presence, proximity, or contact of a person or vehicle. According to Article 2(2) of the 1997 Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention:

"Mine" means a munition designed to be placed under, on or near the ground or other surface area and to be exploded by the presence, proximity or contact of a person or a vehicle.

In Article 2(1) of the same treaty an anti-personnel mine is defined as "a mine designed to be exploded by the presence, proximity or contact of a person and that will incapacitate, injure or kill one or more persons." Specifically excluded from the definition are mines "designed to be detonated by the presence, proximity or contact of a vehicle as opposed to a person, that are equipped with anti-handling devices," An anti-vehicle mine is not formally defined under international law, but could thus be defined as a munition designed to be placed under, on or near the ground or other surface area and to be exploded by the presence, proximity or contact of a vehicle as opposed to a person.

Last updated on: 30 November 2013