Non-Technical Survey & Technical Survey

Non-technical survey (NTS) and technical survey (TS) are the two survey steps of land release. NTS collects and analyses evidence without intrusive work to identify, cancel or confirm suspected hazardous areas; TS uses detection, excavation and, where appropriate, machines to confirm the presence or absence of explosive ordnance and define the boundaries of contamination. GEODE designs survey methodologies, trains NTS and TS teams and supports authorities and operators in releasing land efficiently and safely.

Why survey comes first

Clearing land that is not contaminated wastes resources. Land release, as defined in IMAS 07.11, combines non-technical survey, technical survey and clearance so that resources are concentrated where hazards are actually present, and land without evidence of contamination can be cancelled or reduced with justified confidence.

Non-technical survey (NTS)

Desk research, historical records, interviews with local communities and authorities, accident data and field visits are used to define suspected hazardous areas (SHA) and confirmed hazardous areas (CHA), or to cancel land where there is no evidence of contamination.

Technical survey (TS)

Intrusive investigation – detection, excavation, sampling lanes and, where appropriate, mechanical assets – is used to confirm the presence or absence of explosive ordnance, define its type and the boundaries of the hazardous area, and reduce the area requiring full clearance.

What GEODE delivers

Survey methodologies and SOPs adapted to the national context and the threat.
Training of NTS and TS teams, including training of trainers for national authorities.
Survey planning and technical supervision: evidence criteria, cancellation, reduction and clearance decisions.
Information management: survey reports, maps and handover documentation for authorities and communities.
Quality management of survey and land release outputs.

Applicable standards

Standard	Scope
IMAS 07.11	Land release (Edition 2, 16 January 2026)
IMAS 08.10	Non-technical survey
IMAS 08.20	Technical survey

See the IMAS 08.20 Technical survey page.

Relevant experience

Benin: training of trainers in land release for CPADID trainers, and regional francophone seminars.
Tajikistan: training of NTS/TS teams, deminers, team leaders and QA/QC agents.

GEODE has been part of the DEMINETEC Group since 2022. Within the group, survey results feed directly into clearance planning, from desk study to land and underwater clearance. The group's international references cover more than 30 countries on five continents (DEMINETEC Group international references).

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between non-technical survey and technical survey?

Non-technical survey gathers and analyses information without intrusive work (records, interviews, field visits). Technical survey involves physical intervention – detection, excavation or machines – to confirm the presence or absence of explosive ordnance and its boundaries.

What is land release?

Land release is the process of cancelling, reducing or clearing land through NTS, TS and clearance, as described in IMAS 07.11, so that only contaminated land is fully cleared.

Can GEODE train national survey teams?

Yes. GEODE has trained NTS/TS teams in Tajikistan and delivered land release training of trainers in Benin.