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UXO Borehole
Clearance

Unexploded ordnance clearance at proposed borehole locations before intrusive investigation commences. Coordinated with specialist UXO operators to keep your programme on track and your team safe.

Pre-Drilling Clearance
Magnetometer Survey
UXO Specialists
Coordinated Programme
UK-Wide
Pre-Drill
When It's Done
Magnetometer
Detection Method
UXO Specialists
Who Does It
UK-Wide
Coverage
About This Service

Safe Drilling Starts
Before the Drill Goes In

In areas of known or suspected UXO risk, borehole clearance is required before any intrusive ground investigation works can commence. Drilling into unexploded ordnance is a life-threatening risk — and one that is entirely preventable with proper pre-investigation clearance.

UXO borehole clearance involves the use of specialist magnetometer equipment to detect buried metallic anomalies at proposed borehole locations. A trained UXO operator surveys each location and confirms it is clear of any items that could pose a risk during drilling. Only once a location has been cleared can drilling commence.

GeoPrime Solutions work alongside approved UXO specialists to provide a fully coordinated investigation service. We manage the sequencing of clearance and drilling operations to ensure the programme runs efficiently, minimising delays while maintaining the highest standards of site safety.

UXO risk is most commonly encountered in areas of the UK subject to wartime bombing, near former military installations, or on sites where historical records or a UXO desk study have identified a risk. If you are unsure whether your site requires UXO clearance, we can advise.

Required On Sites With
  • Known wartime bombing history
  • Proximity to former military sites
  • Positive UXO desk study findings
  • Historical aerial photograph evidence
  • Bomb census records indicating risk
  • Previous ordnance finds on site
  • Insurer or client-mandated clearance
  • CDM-notifiable investigations
UXO
The Process

How UXO Borehole
Clearance Works

01
Risk Assessment
A UXO desk study reviews historical records, aerial photographs and bomb census data to assess the level of risk at the site and determine what clearance measures are required prior to drilling.
02
Magnetometer Survey
A specialist UXO operator surveys each proposed borehole location using calibrated magnetometer equipment, identifying any buried metallic anomalies that could indicate the presence of ordnance.
03
Clearance & Sign-Off
Where anomalies are detected, these are investigated and resolved before drilling proceeds. Once the location is confirmed clear, the UXO operator signs off the location as safe for intrusive works.
04
Drilling Commences
With cleared locations confirmed, GeoPrime Solutions commence the investigation programme. Clearance and drilling are sequenced to maintain programme efficiency and minimise downtime on site.
Applications

Where UXO Clearance
is Required

Urban Regeneration
City centre and brownfield regeneration sites in areas subject to wartime bombing — particularly across the Midlands, North West, London and other heavily bombed regions.
Former Military Land
Sites previously used for military training, storage or operations where ordnance may have been buried, lost or abandoned.
Renewables
Large-scale solar and wind projects in rural areas, where wartime use of land or proximity to former airfields may create UXO risk across investigation points.
Industrial Development
Industrial and logistics sites on brownfield land where UXO desk studies have identified a credible risk requiring pre-drilling clearance.
Housing
Residential developments in areas of known bombing history where insurers, clients or CDM regulations require clearance before investigation commences.
Infrastructure
Transport, utilities and civil engineering projects in areas of UXO risk where ground investigation is required as part of design and planning.
GeoPrime Solutions

Clear First.
Drill Safe.
No Exceptions.

UXO risk is not something you manage after the fact. We coordinate clearance and drilling as a single, sequenced programme — keeping your team safe and your programme moving.

Why Choose Us

Why GeoPrime for
UXO Borehole Clearance

Fully Coordinated
We manage the relationship with UXO specialists and coordinate clearance and drilling as a single programme. You deal with one point of contact — we handle the sequencing to keep things efficient.
Safety First
We will never commence drilling at a location that has not been properly cleared. Our commitment to safe working is non-negotiable — no programme pressure will ever change that.
Programme Efficiency
With proper planning, UXO clearance can be integrated into the investigation programme with minimal impact on overall duration. We sequence works to keep your project on track.
Other Services

Related Services

Cable Percussive Drilling
Window Sampling & Dynamic Probing
Ground Penetrating Radar
Trial & Hand Pitting
CBR & Plate Bearing Testing
Coring
Common Questions

Frequently Asked
Questions

UXO borehole clearance involves detecting and clearing unexploded ordnance at proposed borehole locations before drilling commences, using specialist magnetometer equipment operated by trained UXO specialists.
UXO clearance is required where a desk study, historical records or site history indicates a risk of buried ordnance — typically in areas subject to wartime bombing, near former military sites, or where previous finds have been recorded.
A UXO desk study reviews historical records, aerial photographs, bomb census records and military mapping to assess the likelihood of unexploded ordnance at a site, determining what mitigation measures are required.
Clearance is carried out by specialist UXO operators using magnetometer equipment. GeoPrime Solutions work alongside approved UXO specialists, coordinating clearance and drilling as a single, efficiently managed programme.
With proper planning, clearance can be fully integrated into the investigation programme with minimal impact on duration. We sequence clearance and drilling operations to keep your project moving efficiently.
UXO

Need UXO Clearance
Before You Drill?

Call us or send an enquiry — we'll advise and coordinate everything.

07541 553837
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