Liberia’s Assistant Minister for Mines, Carlos Eddison Tingban, says training completed in China was “More than knowledge, a blazing commitment to save lives.”
Beijing, China; July 3, 2025 – The Assistant Minister for Mines, Carlos Eddison Tingban, has pledged sweeping reforms to Liberia’s mine safety systems, following his return from a rigorous two-week technical training in Beijing, China, in what he described as “More than knowledge, a blazing commitment to save lives.”
Speaking at the closing ceremony on July 2, 2025, of the “Mine Rescue for Belt and Road Countries” course, Minister Tingban delivered a powerful message that spotlighted not only gratitude but a call to action anchored in national duty and international solidarity.
As he took the stage in Beijing to deliver his closing remarks, Tingban emitted gratitude and resolve. “You haven’t just lit our path,” he declared passionately. “You have equipped us to light the way for others. The flame you ignited in us will burn brightly in Liberia.” It was a message that blended reverence for China’s hospitality with a firm commitment to implement transformative changes back home.
The Assistant Minister’s remarks weren’t just ceremonial; they signaled a pivot in how Liberia approaches mine safety.
“We return not just inspired, but armed,” he said, “armed with vital lessons, proven strategies, and an unshakeable resolve.”
That resolve centers on improving mine monitoring, instituting early warning systems, and building rapid-response rescue mechanisms that could mean the difference between tragedy and accomplishment in a sector that often walks the edge of risk.
Throughout the training, Tingban and his delegation were immersed in hands-on simulations in Shengdon’s world-renowned rescue facilities. They navigated tight tunnels, simulated toxic gas leaks, and practiced rescue coordination in scenarios that closely resembled real-life emergencies.
“It was where theory met sweat, sand, and the tangible reality of saving lives,” Tingban recounted. “This wasn’t about lectures. It was about preparation. It was about readiness.”
The technical drills were just one part of the equation. The team was equally moved by China’s cultural and institutional commitment to safety. Witnessing high-precision engineering at SANY and TIANMI’s production floors, and engaging with student-researchers at the China University of Mining and Technology, the Assistant Minister described the environment as being “humbled and inspired by a society that treats safety not as an afterthought, but as a foundation.”
“We witnessed the blazing fire of innovation,” he noted. “China’s young scholars are solving tomorrow’s problems today. They understand that protecting lives is not just moral, it is strategic, and we have been taking notes.”
The course was more than a learning experience; it was a blueprint. He plans to roll out a comprehensive national mine safety reform agenda that borrows directly from China’s highly effective models. These include centralized command centers, mobile response units, and continuous skills training for mine workers and first responders.
“This is not a one-off speech,” he emphasized. “We’re going to act swiftly and decisively.”
Tingban, at the same time, spoke of the diplomatic and personal bonds forged during the program. “From the moment we arrived, China’s overwhelming hospitality wrapped us in a feeling of home,” he said.
He recalled walking the Great Wall of China and visiting the Communist Party Museum, reflecting on resilience, unity, and leadership. “We learned that the strongest walls aren’t made of stone, they’re built from shared purpose.”
And at the heart of that purpose is a belief in the power of international collaboration. “Liberia and China don’t just share trade ties, we now share the knowledge and will to protect our most precious resource: human life,” he said.
He proposed deeper cooperation through joint emergency simulations, technology exchanges, and collaborative safety initiatives that would set new standards across Africa.
The training, hosted by China’s Ministry of Emergency Management and the International Exchange and Cooperation Center, brought together leaders from Belt and Road countries for a rigorous, in-depth examination of mine rescue strategies, emergency response systems, and state-of-the-art safety technologies.
