Website Glossary

High Explosives are a class of explosive materials characterised by rapid and violent decomposition, resulting in supersonic shockwave propagation. Compared to low explosives, high explosives undergo a detonation process in which the chemical reaction occurs at speeds faster than the speed of sound. This rapid reaction releases tremendous energy in a fraction of a second, producing a powerful shockwave, heat, light, and gas expansion. Common examples of high explosives include TNT (trinitrotoluene), RDX (cyclo trimethylene trinitramine), PETN (pentaerythritol tetranitrate), and HMX (cyclo tetramethylene tetra nitramine). Due to their highly reactive nature, high explosives require careful handling, storage, and expertise to ensure safety and effective use.

An HME is an explosive material made using commonly available or improvised ingredients. It is typically produced by individuals or small groups using simple methods and equipment, often without formal training or expertise in explosives chemistry.

HMEs are made from various substances, including household chemicals, agricultural fertilisers, industrial solvents, and other readily available materials. These substances are often mixed and processed to create a volatile explosive compound. Due to their improvised nature, HMEs vary widely in composition, potency, and stability. Their potential for accidental detonation or unintended consequences may pose significant safety risks to the individuals manufacturing them and others in the vicinity.

HMA addresses the humanitarian impact of landmines, unexploded ordnance (UXO), and other explosive remnants of war (ERW). Humanitarian Mine Action encompasses a range of efforts focused on mitigating the threat posed by these explosive hazards and assisting affected communities in their clearance, risk education, victim assistance, and advocacy efforts. HMA plays a critical role in addressing the humanitarian consequences of landmines, UXO, and ERW and in contributing to peacebuilding, development, and the protection of human rights in affected communities.