Komatsu-Reak Smey Sangha Sen Chey Primary School Ready to Open 

Komatsu Ltd. (President & CEO: Kunio Noji) completed the first joint community reconstruction project ("Community Development Activities") with Japan Mine Action Service (JMAS), a non-profit organization of Japan, in the village of Reak Smey Sangha, Battambang District, Cambodia on March 15. Since August last year, JMAS and Komatsu had worked with the Cambodia Mine Action Centre (CMAC) and accomplished assured and speedy demining by combining conventional manual work and a Komatsu-made D85MS demining machine for anti-personnel landmines. Specific efforts included prompt conversion of demined fields into safe lands, repair of roads, restoration of reservoirs and channels for flood control and domestic use, construction of agricultural ponds, and renovation of a school building. The renovated school was named Komatsu –Reak Smey Sangha Sen Chey Primariy School.

To commemorate the completion of the project and share the hope for future growth of the community, a ceremony was held at the renovated school on March 19. In addition to some 300 villagers, the Governor of Battambang District, guests from local official bodies and CMAC as well as Komatsu people involved in the project attended the ceremony.

JMAS and Komatsu have already transported all demining equipment to Angola, completed equipment maintenance and operator training, and are ready to engage in the Community Development Activities. Also in Cambodia, JMAS and Komatsu are planning a new project and working to select an area by capitalizing on the valuable experience and accomplishments resulting from the completed project.

[Accomplishments in Reak Smey Sangha]

Demined area 41 ha

No. of removed landmines 111 (including 49 by the D85MS demining machine)

No. of unexploded ordnance 71 (including 10 by the D85MS demining machine)

Total distance of repaired roads 2.0 km

No. of constructed agricultural ponds 8 (new)

No. of restored reservoirs 2

Equipment lent free of charge One unit of the D85MS demining machine

One unit of the PC200 hydraulic excavator

One unit of the D41P bulldozer

Other equipment included one road roller and one dump truck donated by Komatsu Asia & Pacific Pte Ltd to CMAC.

Donation of play equipment, such as a slide and swings on the schoolyard, was made from a portion of sales of the TOMICA No. 14 Komatsu D85MS demining machine made by TOMY Company, Ltd.