ABSTRACT
Located in the northwest quarter of Cambodia, Battambang City, the provincial capital of Battambang Province, is the country’s second largest city. Having endured 30 years of civil war, genocide, and military occupation, the city is recovering and is now growing rapidly. To accommodate this growth, efforts are underway to expand Highway 57, the main artery linking Battambang City and Pailin. Progress has been slowed, however, because of the presence of landmines. Despite the Herculean efforts of organizations such as the Mine Action Group, landmines-sown decades ago-continue to explode as heavy construction equipment eats into the tropical soils. Through late 2008 and early 2009, at least one construction worker was killed or injured every other week.
