By H Matthew Turry
MONROVIA – Liberia Assistant Minister for Mines at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Carlos E. Tingban, has underscored the urgent need to prioritize mine workers’ safety through international cooperation and knowledge sharing as he spoke at the inauguration of the Technical Training Course on Mine Rescue for Belt and Road countries in Beijing, China this week.
“No economic progress is worth risking even one worker’s life,” he said, emphasizing that economic growth must never come at the expense of human life.
He highlighted the harsh realities faced by many artisanal and small-scale miners in Liberia, including inadequate training, insufficient safety equipment, and exposure to hazardous working conditions.
While the Liberian government has taken significant steps to address these issues, Tingban told participants at the program that capacity-building efforts like the training courses are vital for achieving lasting improvements.
Addressing the trainees and rescuers present, Minister Tingban hailed them as “heroes of the working class” whose courage and dedication protect lives and uphold human dignity.
He called mine rescue not just a technical skill but the “beating heart of a truly humane mining industry.”
Tingban at the same time reaffirmed Liberia’s and its partners’ commitment to building a mining sector grounded in safety, transparency, and ethical responsibility.
“We will not allow our miners to be buried beneath the weight of negligence. We will rise and we will rescue,” he declared.
He expressed deep appreciation for China’s ongoing support under the Belt and Road Initiative, which since 2013 has fostered development across Africa and beyond in infrastructure, agriculture, technology, and now mining safety.
The Assistant Minister praised the strong partnership between Liberia and China, describing it as a model of sovereign cooperation based on mutual respect and shared prosperity.
He noted that recent China-funded mineral surveys in Liberia have uncovered significant new resources, opening fresh opportunities for sustainable development.
Addressing officials of China’s Ministry of Emergency Management, international diplomats, business leaders, and mining stakeholders, Minister Tingban extended warm greetings from Liberia’s President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, Sr., and Minister of Mines and Energy Hon. Wilmot J. M. Paye.
This historic training event signals a promising new era where mining safety takes center stage in global development efforts. Through collaboration and knowledge exchange, countries like Liberia and China are paving the way for a safer, fairer, and more sustainable mining future.
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