Contamination and Impact

The Kingdom of Norway is not considered to be an area affected by mines or unexploded ordnance (UXO). From time to time mines and explosives from World War II are discovered, some as recently as July 2014,[1] but they are not considered to represent a great danger to civilians.

Cluster munition remnants

Norway was contaminated with cluster munition remnants and other UXO. In its initial Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 report, Norway declared that the Hjerkinn “Shooting Range” at HFK-sletta in Dovre municipality, central Norway[2] contained an estimated 30 unexploded DM 1383/DM 1385 submunitions over an area of 617,300m², as a result of test-firing[3] between 1986 and 2007.[4]

In April 2014, Norway reported that all areas contaminated by cluster munitions had been cleared, and while UXO contamination in other parts of the Hjerkinn former test range remained, “we have no reason to suspect contamination by CMRs [cluster munition remnants] in those areas.”[5]

Land Release

Norway reported the release of 84,500m² of cluster munition-contaminated area[6] through clearance operations in the “third quarter of 2013.”[7]

Clearance in 2013

In 2013, Norway reported clearance of 84,500m² at the Hjerkinn “Shooting Range,” under the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence, destroying one unexploded submunition and three UXO in the process.

In 2013, Norway’s clearance capacity consisted of one explosive ordnance team of two personnel and one mine detection dog unit with six dogs and three personnel.[8]

Compliance with Article 4 of the Convention on Cluster Munitions

Under Article 4 of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, Norway is required to complete clearance of all areas affected by cluster munition remnants under its jurisdiction or control by 1 August 2020.

At the convention’s Working Group on Clearance and Risk Reduction in Geneva in April 2014, Norway stated that it had completed clearance of cluster munition remnants in 2013—more than six years before its Article 4 deadline—and noted that it would make a formal declaration of completion at the Fifth Meeting of States Parties in Costa Rica in September 2014.[9]