Since 2008, Komatsu has been engaging in collaborative efforts with the Japan Mine Action Service (JMAS) to support the demining of anti-personnel landmines. In addition to removing mines, we also provide reconstruction work as part of a community development project. Through the technical expertise and manufacturing knowledge we have gained through our business operations, our machine that excel in demining and reconstruction work have been playing important roles.
Our target is to transform landmine infested lands to safe lands, and further on to lands with value by constructing roads and facilities. Going forward, we will continue to promote activities that contribute to the recovery of the entire regions utilizing our construction machinery, which is Komatsu's main business.
| Item | Result (Cumulative Total by FY2019) |
|---|---|
| Demined area |
2,317ha |
| Total removal count |
2,225landmines |
| Road construction / maintenance |
76.2km |
| Schools constructed |
9 (which holds about 700 school children) |
| Ponds constructed |
47 |
We started support of unexploded bomb disposal activities in 2016 in Laos.
In Laos, more than 30% of the land is riddled with unexploded bombs, many of which are cluster sub-munitions.
This is a problem on a massive scale, with children and farmers suffering bomb-related injuries on a yearly basis.
Komatsu plays its part by offering the necessary machine to UXO-LAO (a Lao unexploded bomb disposal squad) and the Japan Mine Action Service (JMAS) free of charge, alongside engineering support for the machines it provides.
Following the success of the demining machine for anti-personnel landmines we have used Komatsu's past experiences and techniques to develop removal machines for processing unexploded ordnance based on hydraulic excavator PC130-8, and continue the disposal activities.
| Item | Result (Cumulative Total by FY2019) |
|---|---|
| Demined area |
369ha |
| Total removal count |
3,849 bombs |
| Schools constructed | 1 (which holds about 70 school children) |
As part of the "Visiting Lecture" initiative, Komatsu employees visit schools in Japan and introduce these activities to a wide range of students from elementary to university levels. As of today, we have carried out lectures for about 6,700 students over a total of 75 times.
We had the pleasure of providing a “Visiting Lecture" to students in their final year at a junior high school. One of the students had this to say: "I felt it was great that you improved conventional equipment and are using it to help countries that have landmine problems. Building schools for elementary students in that area also helps the country. I would like to be a person who can think of ideas like this in the future. I want to learn about what is happing in the world to become a person like that." Through this initiatives, Komatsu continues to nurture children, giving them opportunities to consider their future and ways of living.
In a new initiative that began in 2019, we have started the trial use of construction machine for agricultural purposes on sites after landmines have been removed, aiming to reconstruct agricultural land and provide a boost to the industry. Agriculture is one of the main industries in Cambodia, accounting for approx. 25% of GDP, and rice is actively cultivated all over the country. With help from the JMAS, Komatsu is conducting activities to improve work efficiency and yields in cooperation with the provincial government. We are validating the viability of operations using bulldozers, wheel loaders, and hydraulic shovels.
| Year | Activity (international treaties and activities of the Japanese government are underlined) |
|---|---|
| 1998 |
Komatsu develops old timber removal machine for demining in Cambodia |
| 1999 |
The Ottawa Treaty is enacted (the Mine Ban Convention) |
| 2002 |
The Japanese government states it would exclude antipersonnel demining machine from the Three Principles on Arms Exports |
| 2003 |
A subsidized project by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and NEDO(*) develops demining machine (Figure (1) below) |
| 2004 |
With support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Komatsu conducts on-site testing in Afghanistan |
| 2006 |
With support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Komatsu conducts on-site testing in Cambodia |
| 2007 |
The first machine is introduced in Afghanistan (Japanese government ODA) |
| 2008 |
Komatsu begins the Cambodia reconstruction project jointly with the JMAS, an incorporated NPO |
| 2009 |
Komatsu begins the Angola reconstruction project jointly with the JMAS, an incorporated NPO |
| 2010 |
The Oslo Treaty is enacted (the treaty banning Cluster Munitions) |
| 2015 |
Komatsu develops demining machine (Figure (2) below) |
| 2016 |
Komatsu begins the Laos reconstruction project jointly with the JMAS, an incorporated NPO |
| 2017 |
Komatsu completes the Angola reconstruction project |
| 2019 |
Komatsu constructs its 9th elementary school in Cambodia, and 1st in Laos. |
| 2020 |
Komatsu begins the agriculture CSR project in Cambodia |
