People are driving force behind the mining transformation

While these developments help the industry respond more ethically to the growing demand for critical minerals, they also raise an important question about the central role people play in this transformation.

”The mining industry is becoming increasingly aware of how essential it is to engage the people who are driving it forward,” explains Susan Eick. “Without clear communication, proper training and structured change management, innovations may not reach their full potential.“

For mining companies that want to better support their employees as the industry evolves, here are some key takeaways from the CIM CONNECT convention that focus on change management and the essential role people play.

• A culture of psychological safety is a powerful lever.
  When employees feel safe to express themselves fully and trust they’ll be listened to, their engagement rises and safety incidents decline. Leaders need to model this behaviour and set an example to make it credible and lasting.
  
  
  
• Innovation is about more than new solutions.
  It’s just as much about supporting teams through profound changes to their habits and work methods. The challenge often isn’t the innovation itself, but how it’s introduced and supported.
  
  
  
• Frontline leaders are often overlooked, yet they play a critical role in driving change.
  Equipping them with the right tools and involving them early helps build a strong workplace culture. Time invested in training early on leads to long-term gains.
  
  
  
• AI must be seen as decision-making intelligence and not simply artificial.
  It doesn't replace human judgement; it supports it. It’s important to help teams use AI as a concrete decision-making tool, aligned with their operational reality.
  
  
  
• Communication must be clear, practical and audience-specific.

”It's not just about informing; it's about explaining, providing context, offering the right tools for proper understanding and tailoring our message to each audience,” adds Melissa Jarry. “Then we need to make sure the message has been received, understood correctly and integrated properly into the team’s daily work.”

The future of mining depends on its ability to put people at the heart of its transformation. It's up to us to listen better, train more effectively, provide support and give people the tools they need to act and evolve.