In the aftermath of conflict, long after the last shot has been fired and the dust has begun to settle, hidden dangers still lurk beneath the surface. Unexploded ordnance (UXO) – bombs, grenades, landmines, and other explosive remnants of war (ERW) – remain buried in the ground, posing a silent, life-threatening risk to communities striving to rebuild. Every year, these hidden hazards claim innocent lives – many of them children – injure civilians, and hinder efforts to restore safety and normalcy. And the threat is growing.

According to the Red Cross, in 2024, casualties from UXO surged by 22%, a trend that is likely to continue due to continued conflict in Ukraine, the Middle East, Syria, and Ethiopia, as well as the heavy presence of unexploded ordnance in post-conflict zones like Afghanistan, Laos, Sudan, and more. 

At Acuity International, we believe peace isn’t truly restored until the land is made safe for those who call it home. Our mission is rooted in protecting lives and supporting recovery by delivering expertise in UXO Clearance services. As a trusted leader in public safety and disaster response, we work tirelessly to detect, remove, and safely dispose of these dangerous remnants, ensuring that formerly conflict-affected areas can recover, rebuild, and flourish free from the lingering threat of explosive hazards.

In this blog, we explore UXO clearance, common UXO types and dangers, how UXO clearance works, the phases of UXO clearance, real-world applications, and more.

What is UXO Clearance?

Construction crew working safely after UXO clearance in a former conflict area

UXO stands for Unexploded Ordnance. These are bombs, grenades, landmines, artillery shells, and other explosive weapons that didn’t go off when they were originally deployed – and they’re still dangerous, sometimes more than 50 years after conflict ends. UXO can be buried in the ground, hidden in rubble, or submerged in water, waiting to be accidentally triggered by civilians, farmers, or construction workers. In many post-conflict areas, both landmines and UXO are present, and each requires different detection tools, safety protocols, and disposal techniques.

UXO clearance is the careful, expert process of locating, identifying, and safely removing or destroying unexploded devices. It’s a critical service that makes land safe for families, communities, and businesses to live and work without fear.

UXO clearance is a highly specialized, technical, and potentially hazardous task carried out by trained professionals using advanced detection tools, protective equipment, and internationally recognized safety standards, like those set by the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) including standards such as IMAS 09.10 (Clearance Requirements), IMAS 10.30 (Personal Protective Equipment), and IMAS 07.11 (Land Release).

Learn more: Choosing the right protective gear in our Workplace Safety Guide

UXO clearance and demining both fall under the umbrella of humanitarian mine action, but there are some differences. While both involve removing explosive hazards, demining specifically focuses on clearing landmines – small explosive devices planted underground or near the surface, often designed to injure or kill people. UXO clearance covers a much broader range of explosive remnants, including bombs dropped from aircraft, grenades, mortars, and missiles that failed to detonate.

More than 60 countries and territories around the world remain contaminated by unexploded ordnance (UXO) and landmines. Each year, these hidden threats kill or injure an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 people, according to recent data from the Landmine Monitor and the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS).

This is why UXO Clearance is so critical. It saves lives, restores public safety, and helps communities heal and rebuild.

Types of UXO and Common Dangers

Below is a list of common unexploded devices and the threats they pose:

  • Unexploded Ordnance (UXO): Bombs, shells, grenades, mortars left from conflicts. If disturbed, these devices can detonate, endangering civilians, aid workers, and construction crews.
  • Landmines: Buried explosives triggered by pressure or proximity. These hidden hazards cause severe injury or death to passersby and workers.
  • Unexploded Rockets and Missiles: Fired projectiles that fail to detonate. These threats are highly unstable and may explode on contact or with movement. 
  • Booby Traps and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs): Hidden or disguised devices designed to trigger unexpectedly. They’re used to intentionally target civilians, rescuers, or anyone entering abandoned areas. 

Each of these devices can cause loss of life, injury, and psychological trauma. In addition, they disrupt communities, humanitarian aid, reconstruction, farming, and safe travel.

Acuity’s Role in UXO Clearance and Emergency Response

Specialist coordinating humanitarian relief after UXO removal

​Acuity International plays a pivotal role in UXO clearance and emergency response, offering specialized services to mitigate explosive hazards and support disaster-affected communities.​

Acuity provides comprehensive UXO risk management and environmental remediation services, ensuring safety and compliance in various operational settings:​

  • Munitions, Explosives Management, and Demilitarization: Our certified specialists expertly detect, remove, and dispose of UXO, safeguarding lives, restoring access to land, and supporting economic recovery and community resilience. As a trusted partner to governments worldwide, we deliver end-to-end UXO and ERW management—from technical survey and detection to remediation and safe disposal—all in full compliance with International Mine Action Standards (IMAS).
  • Improvised Explosive Device Defeat and CBRN Response: Threats from IEDs and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) can cause mass casualties, disrupt infrastructure, and create long-term health and environmental risks. Our specialized response capabilities neutralize IEDs and effectively assess, respond to, diagnose, and remediate complex CBRN hazards.
  • Demining and Mine Action Compliance: We provide IMAS-compliant demining services and expertise, supporting global mine action initiatives aimed at clearing land and restoring safe, productive environments for communities affected by landmines and explosive hazards.
  • Training, Capacity Building, and Curriculum Development: Acuity offers specialized training programs for military and civilian personnel that build local capacity and expertise in explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), demining, and munitions management, ensuring sustainable long-term safety and operational readiness. 
  • ​Military Munitions Construction Support and Range Sustainment: Acuity offers comprehensive military munitions support and range sustainment services, guaranteeing safe handling and adherence to environmental standards at active training and operational sites.

We pride ourselves on being a self-performing company that provides a comprehensive and cost-effective all-in-one solution. In addition, we maintain access to a broad network of specialized partner companies whose expertise can be leveraged as needed to meet evolving requirements. 

Over 30 years, Acuity International (and Janus Global Operations, which Acuity acquired) has become a global leader in hazardous remediation. Our end-to-end solutions, from detection to disposal, can be deployed rapidly, customized for unique site conditions, and integrated with environmental restoration practices. 

Acuity’s expertise reflects a commitment to safety, precision, and environmental stewardship. We help clients mitigate risks and restore affected environments efficiently. Our multidisciplinary capabilities are designed to address diverse and high-risk scenarios effectively, including urban areas, remote locations, conflict zones, and underwater sites. We leverage innovative tools such as drones, robotics, and digital mapping to improve safety and efficiency.

Our certified experts adhere to international safety standards (ISO 9001:20015-certified, and CERCLA, RCRA, MMRP, and IMAS compliant).

Our UXO clearance services are deeply integrated within our disaster recovery and response services and are designed to enhance safety, support humanitarian efforts, and facilitate recovery in areas affected by explosive hazards and disasters. 

Real-World Applications

Acuity has supported – and is equipped to support – UXO clearance and related operations in conflict-affected, post-conflict, and military training areas worldwide, including:

  • Demining and UXO Clearance: Acuity delivered IMAS-compliant demining and munitions clearance services in former conflict zones in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Africa, aiding stabilization, resettlement, and infrastructure projects.
  • Explosive Detection and Disposal: Acuity’s explosive ordnance experts found more than 50 devices in an explosive-contaminated hospital housing two of Iraq’s four radiation therapy machines in Ramadi. The cancer hospital had suffered damage from ISIS’s efforts to raze it. The team cleared a safe path through the building, allowing doctors to safely access machines. They restored access to technology that was essential to the well-being of patients, effectively doubling Iraq’s ability to treat and fight cancer.
  • Range Cleanup: Acuity completed a five-year mission clearing ordnance from 62 now-closed U.S.-operated ranges in the Middle East. The mission included removing unexploded ordnance and ammunition on the surface and subsurface of the ranges. Acuity hired and trained workers from local communities to assist in munitions response at each work site.

The removal of the unexploded ordnance denied insurgents the chance to gather unexploded content and use IEDs targeting U.S. service members. It also improved the safety of the civilian population.

How the UXO Clearance Process Works

Explosive Ordnance Disposal team transporting equipment for UXO detection and disposal

The core phases of UXO clearance are as follows:

  • Survey: Teams inspect the area to identify where UXO might be located. Tactics include aerial reviews, ground inspections, reviewing historical conflict data and military records, interviewing local residents and authorities, and other research to identify areas likely to contain UXO. High-risk zones are marked and mapped for further action.
  • Detection and Removal: Using specialized detection equipment, like metal detectors, ground-penetrating radar, and trained EOD experts, teams safely find, uncover, and remove or destroy dangerous devices. The process is systematic to prevent accidental detonation and to protect surrounding areas.
  • Verification: After clearance, the area is thoroughly re-checked and surveyed to confirm it’s completely free of UXO. Quality assurance teams conduct final sweeps using detection tools. In addition, documentation and certification are provided to confirm the land is safe for civilian use, construction, farming, or aid operations. 

Read too:
• See real-world safety examples in our Workplace Safety Examples post
• Explore our risk assessment templates for QA best practices

Why UXO Clearance Matters for Safe Development

UXO is a visual and hidden danger in conflict and post-conflict zones, threatening lives, halting construction, and blocking access to homes, infrastructure, schools, critical resources, farmland, and more. 

UXO clearance is the first step in making land safe for homes and public spaces, ensuring safe construction, and promoting economic recovery in affected areas.

In short, UXO clearance lays the foundation for safe development, economic growth, and lasting recovery, transforming danger zones into thriving, safe, hopeful places once again.

Acuity is a trusted partner to governments worldwide, delivering compliant UXO clearance and remediation services. We provide:

  • Rapid, expert UXO detection and disposal
  • Safe, certified land release for rebuilding and investment
  • Training, capacity building, and curriculum development for military and civilian personnel
  • Support for humanitarian aid, infrastructure projects, and long-term recovery.

Closing: Building Safer Futures with Acuity

UXO continues to pose a severe threat to civilian safety, infrastructure development, and long-term recovery efforts. Acuity International offers proven expertise in supporting governments, international agencies, and local communities in the safe clearance of explosive hazards—enabling reconstruction, restoring livelihoods, and building lasting resilience.

Contact us to learn more about how Acuity’s UXO Clearance and Environmental Remediation services can assist you in eliminating hazards and restore safety to communities.