Pilot Study Social License to Operate

Purpose and goal

One project aim was to inventory, compile and analyze results and approaches from previous SMI-project related to social acceptance. Another aim was to evaluate whether current SMI-calls and the possibility of strategic project has a desirable role in channeling funds to the work of social acceptance. The aim was to increase knowledge about how to handle the social challenges that the mining industry faces.

Expected results and effects

The results show that social acceptance has many different dimensions and is a complex issue. There is a continuing need to increase knowledge about the social challenges that the mining industry is facing (eg permits, land use, safety, skills, gender equality, balance sustainability factors and business) and how to deal with them. The studied projects highlight e.g. develop a dialogue between mining sector, authorities, local actors and citizens, a collaboration based on all actors´ preconditions, a more inclusive view of who is allowed to participate, and mutual trust.

Planned approach and implementation

The project was carried out by LTU (Human Work Science and Social Science). The main work has been to synthesize the key lessons learned from previous SMI project related to social acceptance: Metals4U, Social License to Operate, Swedish mining and mineral, sustainable framtid, Walk the talk, Indigenous peoples and law and Minedeer. The results are discussed with the working group for SMI in order to together with them contribute to develop models for how SMI can work with social acceptance. There is a need for continued work here.