Good people are tough to find—and even tougher to keep. Mining companies know this better than anyone, with the added challenge of remote sites, high-risk environments, and demanding work. One of the best ways to keep talent engaged is through clear, consistent, and authentic internal communications—showing people their work matters and that the company values what they care about most.
Strong internal comms don’t just align teams with business goals. They build trust, reinforce safety, and create the loyalty that keeps operations running.
Here are 9 best practices for mining companies in 2025.
1. Balance Vision with “So What?”
- DO: Ensure every message sent internally connects back in some way to company mission, values, and objectives.
- BUT: Too much high-level talk can come across as noise. Reinforce how success contributes to a stronger, safer company and what it means for the team
2. Avoid Overload
- DO: Define a clear mix of vehicles: team meetings, safety briefings, email updates, intranet/portal, workplace signage/digital signage, and mobile apps.
- BUT: Establish clear guidelines on when and how to use each channel to prevent overlap and fatigue, to avoid too much of a good thing
3. Create a Single Source of Truth
- DO: Provide an employee portal or intranet with well-organized resources by priority area. Use visuals and interactive elements for easier navigation and feedback.
- BUT: Once established, don’t let it go stale. Make it a destination by posting regular updates, and linking heavily to it in internal emails, newsletters, etc.
4. Make Leadership Visible and Authentic
- DO: Schedule regular communications from senior leaders (“State of the Nation” updates, Q&A sessions, town halls). Encourage leaders to “walk the talk”—their actions must consistently align with their words.
- BUT: Don’t put leadership in front of the team if you’re not prepared to answer questions and be open and transparent.
6. Talk With People, Not At Them
- DO: Encourage employee questions and input through surveys, shift meetings, digital platforms, and regular check-ins.
- BUT: Make sure to track whether key messages are understood, or just being delivered. And make sure to use that feedback to identify issues early and adapt communications.
7. Remember That Workers are People Too
- DO: Keep all language plain, direct, and free of jargon.
- BUT: Make sure to adopt a “show and tell” approach. Share stories that highlight employee contributions, reinforcing a culture where every role matters.
8. Collaborate Across Functions
- DO: All teams by geography and function to deliver a seamless employee experience.
- BUT: Don’t give all the communication work to HR or Communications. Train frontline staff as ambassadors—everyone is a communicator in mining.
9. Measure and Continuously Improve
- DO: Audit communication systems regularly to identify gaps. Track metrics such as safety engagement, portal usage, and employee feedback.
- BUT: Don’t put the results in a drawer. Adjust strategies to meet evolving operational and workforce needs.
The Bottom Line
Companies that deliver consistent, engaging, and transparent internal communications stand out as employers of choice. Done well, internal comms build more than alignment around business goals, they create the trust and motivation that keep good people committed for the long haul.
✅ How PRA Can Help
At PRA Communications, we work exclusively with mining and resource companies to design internal communications strategies that strengthen safety culture, align global teams, and engage employees where it matters most. If you’d like to explore how these best practices could be tailored for your organization, get in touch with our team.
