The training spanned several months, covering both theoretical and practical stages. In the first stage, the team fully familiarized themselves with the technical characteristics of the GCS-200, studied the mechanism of its operation, including starting and moving the machine, connecting and activating attached equipment, and maintenance (daily, weekly, monthly maintenance). The practical part involved operating the machine in field conditions, addressing factors like speed control, maneuvering, responding to various environmental circumstances, and driving the machine both with and without the help of the video camera system.
The team also underwent a special course for mechanics, where they learned detailed technical information about the GCS-200 and its components, its hydraulics, and overall technical details and specifications of the GCS-200. They learned how to effectively operate the machine under various circumstances. At the end of the training, the students were individually assessed by GCS trainers to ensure their competence in the safe and efficient operation of the GCS-200.
Completing the GCS training program is a significant step for NIBULON. The company will receive a total of four GCS-200 demining machines thanks to the develoPPP program of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (BMZ), with the support of DEG Impulse gGmbH, a subsidiary of DEG, and the German State Development Bank (KFW DEG). We express our utmost gratitude to our European partners for their help, enabling us to clear agricultural lands and critical infrastructure sites in deoccupied areas of Mykolaiv and other regions of Ukraine from mines and unexploded ordnance.
According to GCS Operations Technical Advisor, Lourie Venter, “The students were very positive throughout the course and interacted well, contributing to better work outcomes. It is extremely pleasant to work with NIBULON’s team, whose deminers aim to achieve the highest professional level. Remember, if you need advice, GCS is just a phone call away”.
The head of NIBULON’s demining department, who also underwent a course on machine demining from GCS, expressed his gratitude to the Global Clearance Solutions team for the high level of deminers’ training. “What impressed us most about GCS was the way they presented information, its depth, and the individual approach to each student, as well as the instructors’ preparedness, experience, and professionalism. The training was successful and productive”.
Currently, our demining team has submitted of the requisite documents to the Center for Mine Action to obtain a certificate for demining using machines and mechanisms. This will allow us to use our GCS-200 machine in the future within a separate humanitarian demining framework.
At the same time, NIBULON’s deminers continue the non-technical survey of the territory of Snihurivska branch and undergo certification for three more types of humanitarian demining: technical survey, manual demining, and survey of military operations areas.
