What is a mine sweeping operation?

A mine sweeping operation is specifically designed to clear a path through a minefield. This involves using various techniques, tools, or vessels to detect and neutralize or remove mines, ensuring safe passage for personnel or vehicles. The main goal is to mitigate the hazards posed by unexploded ordnance, thereby enabling military operations, humanitarian missions, or safe transportation routes.

The other options describe activities that are not directly related to mine sweeping. For instance, practicing navigation might occur as a drill but does not involve the direct removal of mines. Deploying explosives in a minefield implies creating hazards rather than clearing them, and conducting surveillance over a minefield does not address the immediate need to clear it for safe passage. Therefore, the essence of a mine sweeping operation is its crucial role in eliminating risks associated with land mines, making it fundamental to operational safety.