A device for detecting metal elements in slab form such as metal plates or sheets, includes an emission coil powered by suitable control elements and generating a magnetic field, a reception coil placed so as to enable generation via induction of a voltage across the terminals of the coil under the action of the magnetic field, and elements for processing and evaluating the voltage signal delivered by the at least one reception coil, enabling delivery of an information signal indicating the absence or presence of one or more metal elements near the coils. The emission coil (3) and the reception coil (5) are both mounted in a housing or a sensor head having an active detection face having an associated detection region, and are positioned at a defined inclination one relative to the other and relative to the face.