Explosives

Updated November 15 at 3:32 PM

Damasec found a total of 188 hand grenades. The project was completed on November 15, with a total of 17 detonations carried out to destroy all the grenades.

If you’re up for a three-hour broadcast, you can listen to P4 Jönköping Midday from November 15, 2024. It covered the detonations, along with features about the project, its history, and great music: https://sverigesradio.se/formiddagip4jonkoping

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Damasec Global Group is currently working on clearing a popular natural area near the A6 road in Jönköping, Sweden. Earlier this year, live hand grenades were found on the surface of a small area, prompting Jönköping Municipality to contract the company for the investigation and clearance task.

Damasec began the job on the afternoon of November 11, and now, two days later, the number of grenades found has reached nearly 200, and the task is far from complete. Progress is slow, as the level of metal contamination from nails, screws, and other waste is high, making it challenging to work with the search equipment.

Project Manager Morten Frøding states: “I’ve been in this industry for 25 years, and I have never encountered so many live grenades in such a small area of 45 square meters. It’s quite incredible.”

Jönköping Municipality believes the grenades originated from a former regiment that was stationed in Jönköping until 1980. However, how the grenades ended up in the forest instead of being disposed of properly remains a mystery. The grenades are believed to date back to the 1940s or 1950s, making them over 70 years old.

We will update this article once the project is completed, but in the meantime, you can read and hear more in the Swedish news here:

https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/chocken-over-130-granater-hittade-i-populara-strovomradet

https://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/jonkoping/14-nya-handgranater-vid-a6-i-jonkoping

In April 2023, Damasec Mine Action Systems carried out a specialized demolition task in Älvdalen Municipality, Sweden. This project involved the opening of two so-called “explosive chests”—old storage chests for explosives once used in rock blasting for road construction and other infrastructure projects. Since these chests might contain dangerous explosives, professional assistance was essential to manage the potential risks. The municipality had been in close dialogue with Damasec about the project since January 2022, discussing solutions and obtaining necessary permits for handling the chests.

Lost Knowledge and Forgotten Explosives – A Growing Problem
As highlighted by Sveriges Radio, several municipalities today are facing the challenge of “forgotten explosive stockpiles.” Many of the individuals who originally worked with these explosives have either retired or passed away, leading to a loss of essential knowledge about these old explosive chests and, in some cases, even their locations. This includes expertise on safely opening the chests and handling explosives that may be up to 60 years old and potentially unstable.

Safe Opening of Explosive Chests
To tackle the task safely and avoid accidental explosions, Damasec employed a controlled method that involved a small amount of explosive to open the chests. The operation required two carefully planned detonations, one for each chest, to open them securely. Once opened, the chests were inspected, and the explosive contents were carefully removed. A final detonation was then carried out to safely destroy the contents. This approach ensured the entire operation was completed with minimal risk and posed no danger to the surroundings. Inside the two chests, Damasec found explosives and old detonators—materials left behind and forgotten for decades.

Securing and Destroying Old Explosives
Over the years, Damasec Mine Action Systems has developed substantial expertise in securing and destroying old explosives in Denmark, Sweden, and internationally. This project in Älvdalen Municipality exemplifies how Damasec’s expertise can address complex challenges associated with abandoned and potentially hazardous explosives.

The challenges faced by Swedish municipalities with explosive chests underscore the need for specialized companies capable of addressing issues that arise when forgotten explosives are discovered.