Who We Are
Advancing Global Mine Action Knowledge
Mine Action News is an independent platform dedicated to humanitarian mine action (HMA) and closely related fields. Topics include explosive ordnance risk education, land release, victim assistance, policy, funding, research, and innovation. Our aim is to provide a space where practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and interested observers can share insights, analysis, and informed perspectives from across the sector.
The platform publishes research articles and shorter insight articles, primarily submitted by external contributors, but also pieces from the Mine Action News team. Submissions undergo a light editorial process focused on clarity, relevance, and professionalism, and are published under the author’s name. We seek to encourage diverse viewpoints and constructive debate, while maintaining a practical, experience-informed focus on humanitarian mine action.
Mine Action News also hosts Mine Action Weekly, a regular curated digest that collates and summarises relevant reporting on mine action from around the world. This weekly overview is designed to help professionals stay informed about developments across operational, policy, funding, and research domains.
The core idea behind Mine Action News is simple: to create an accessible, professional platform where the HMA community can share knowledge, highlight challenges, explore solutions, and contribute to the ongoing development of the sector. We welcome contributions from field practitioners, national operators, international organisations, academics, donors, and others engaged in or studying humanitarian mine action.
By bringing together perspectives from across the community, Mine Action News aims to support informed discussion, promote learning, and strengthen understanding of humanitarian mine action globally.
Meet the Team
We are three humanitarian mine action professionals with experience spanning operations, programme management, training, innovation, and sector coordination across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia. Through our work in the field, with national partners, and in programme leadership roles, we have seen firsthand the value of sharing lessons learned, encouraging debate, and making practical knowledge more accessible to the wider community.
We launched Mine Action News as an independent initiative to create a platform by practitioners, for practitioners. Our aim is to lower barriers to publishing, amplify diverse voices from across the sector, and foster constructive discussion around challenges, innovations, and emerging ideas. By bringing together operational experience, analytical perspectives, and a spirit of collaboration, we hope to contribute – and to allow you to contribute – to a more connected and informed humanitarian mine action community.
Markus Schindler
Founder l Editor of Mine Action Weekly
Markus Schindler is Co-Founder of Mine Action News and Editor of the Mine Action Weekly newsletter. Aside from spreading mine action news, Markus is Regional Programme Manager at Fondation suisse de déminage (FSD) in Ukraine, where he is leading a large mine action programme. His HMA experience spans 12 years in various roles spread across multiple countries, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and the Philippines. Markus holds a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from University College Cork, a Master’s Degree in Social Science and Ethics from Ruhr University Bochum, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy from the University of Regensburg.
Charlie Valentine
Founder
Charles Valentine is Co-Founder of Mine Action News and Founder of EODynamics AB, a company specializing in augmented and virtual reality training solutions for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA). A former U.S. Marine Corps veteran with extensive experience in explosive ordnance and operational environments, his work focuses on delivering immersive, cost-effective training tools deployed globally to enhance safety and operational readiness.
Ibrahim Alghadamsi
Founder
Ibrahim Alghadamsi is Co-Founder of Mine Action News. He is a humanitarian mine action professional with over 10 years of experience across the Middle East and North Africa, specializing in programme management, operations, and sector coordination. Ibrahim has supported mine action initiatives in Libya and the wider region, focusing on mine action clearance activies and project implementation. He holds a Master’s degree in Conflict, Security and Development from the University of Sussex and a Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Benghazi.
Disclaimer
Mine Action News is created and managed independently by its founders in a personal capacity. Any views, opinions, or published content on this platform do not necessarily reflect the official positions, policies, or perspectives of any organisations, employers, partners, or institutions with which the founders or contributors may be professionally affiliated, unless explicitly stated.
Content published on this platform is submitted by independent authors and contributors and remains the intellectual property of its respective authors. By submitting content, contributors grant Mine Action News a non-exclusive right to publish, reproduce, and distribute their work. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Mine Action News.
The information provided on The Mine Action News platform is for humanitarian awareness and general educational purposes regarding global mine action activities. While we strive to maintain high standards of technical accuracy and provide verified field insights, we make no representations or warranties regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of any content.
Humanitarian mine action involves significant risks and highly complex environmental variables. The Mine Action News, its authors, and contributors do not assume any legal liability for any direct or indirect consequences arising from the use of information contained herein. Information provided does not constitute operational instruction or technical guidance for the handling of explosive ordnance.
All EO clearance, explosive ordnance risk education (EORE), and technical or non-technical survey operations must be conducted solely by accredited and certified professionals in strict accordance with the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS), relevant National Mine Action Standards (NMAS), and organisational Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). This platform serves as a reporting and information bridge and does not replace official technical training or mandated safety protocols provided by authorised entities.
Mine Action News features links to news reports and articles from a variety of external sources. Mention of these resources does not indicate agreement with or endorsement of the stated opinions of others. Mine Action News does not claim responsibility or credit for any external sources or third-party materials referenced on this platform, is not responsible for their content, and does not vouch for the information contained in them.