IPNEWS: Efforts by the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), to capacitate its staff with professional skills required to ensure the Country’s mineral sector is properly governed, has received a major boost through three of its staff successfully completing an explosives transport management basics training conducted by Spain-based organization – MAXAM.
According to the international explosives management capacity development organization known (MAXAM), Mining Engineer, Adolphus M.G.D. Gleekia, Fred Johnson, and Maxwell Sickey, from the Mines and Energy Ministry passed all the course assessments in Transport Explosives Risk Management (TERM) Basics. The training was conducted in October, 2024, and the certification has just been done by the organization. Several thorough evaluations were conducted in scaling the participants’ performance to inform their certification. as successful candidates.
Gleekia, Johnson, and Sickey, are responsible for interacting with industrial mining companies in transport, and proper handling of their explosive chemicals used in processing minerals, superintended by SIACERC, which is the Special Inter-Agency Commercial Explosive Regulatory Committee.
SIACERC ensures that mining companies live up to environmental laws and standard operating procedures regarding the use of explosive chemicals for mineral processing/recovery. Engineer Gleekia heads the Mines and Energy Ministry’s SIACERC team. He expressed warm impressions about the global body – MAXAM certificating him and teammates for successful completion of the training on handling explosive materials.
Gleekia then dedicated his team’s success to the senior management of the Ministry of Mines and Energy headed by Minister R. Matenokay Tingban, for providing employees of the Ministry opportunities to explore new ideas and acquire advanced knowledge in the mining and energy sectors. “These skills are significant to properly positioning the Ministry (MME) to make sure companies interacting with and using explosives do so professionally to avoid environmental pollutions and other forms of degradations.
Certificates confirming completion of the explosives management training awarded the Mines and Energy employees, and some members of the National Joint Security of Liberia are authorized by John Kwamina Montfold, Manager for Process Safety, Security and Comliance for MAXAM in West Africa, and Co-signed by Noble Tay who represents MAXAM Liberia JVC, INC.
MAXAM LIBERIA BRIEFS:
MAXAM provides comprehensive training on explosives management, focusing on enhancing safety, efficiency, and the responsible handling of energetic materials in the mining, quarrying, and construction industries. Their training programs are designed to educate users on proper, safe, and efficient procedures for blasting, often utilizing a global network of experts and specialized, digital tools.
Key aspects of MAXAM’s explosives management training include:
1. Safety-Focused Approach
Zero-Harm Commitment: Training emphasizes a safety-first culture to ensure personnel return home safe, with a focus on risk prevention, detection, and reaction.
Operational Safety: Programs cover safe handling, storage, and transport of products, including dynamite, emulsions, and initiation systems.
Emergency Procedures: Training includes drills and protocols to verify crisis management capabilities and ensure business continuity.
2. Practical and Technical Training
Blasting Optimization: Courses cover blast design, simulation, and analysis, often utilizing RIOBLAST software to improve safety and results.
Digital Tools (X-Energy): Training includes using digital platforms like the MAXAM Blast Center and X-Logger to collect real-time data (e.g., borehole parameters, loading amounts) for better blast management.
Product Knowledge: Technical sessions educate users on the application of specific products, such as RIOFLEX, which offers better energy distribution and reduced fumes.
Hands-on Experience: In certain contexts, training includes practical, hands-on experience, such as building and detonating demo shots.
3. Comprehensive Training Programs
Technical Application Team (TAP): MAXAM uses its team of technical experts to provide training, ensuring that product usage is optimized and aligned with safety standards.
University Partnerships: Collaborations with universities (e.g., in Spain) are used to train future engineers in modern initiation systems and digital blasting technologies.
YESS Program: A specialized, international training program aimed at new graduates to develop skills in the field.
On-the-job Training: In some roles, such as truck drivers, MAXAM provides 3–4 weeks of fully paid training on product pumping, handling, and regulations.
4. Specialized Training Areas
Underground Operations: Specific training for underground, surface, maritime, and seismic applications.
Complex Projects: Training covers specialized, complex, and sometimes large-scale blasting projects, such as underwater blasting.
Cybersecurity and Information Security: Training for managing risks related to information technology in sensitive operations.
MAXAM’s training is designed for both internal personnel and customers, aiming to improve overall industry standards and reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) for explosive goods.
MINISTRY OF MINES AND ENERGY PUBLIC RELATIONS
For more information from the Ministry, log onto: www.mme.gov.lr
