EU-Centric Framework: SLO Models for “Mine-of-the-Future”

A 2025 study supported by the European Commission proposes an innovative Social License to Operate (SLO) framework tailored for future EU mining projects. Centered on technological innovation, environmental performance, and stakeholder inclusion, the model draws from pilot experiences in Spain, Finland, and Poland. It emphasizes early community dialogue, traceability, and shared metrics to gain legitimacy for next-generation mining operations—especially those linked to Europe’s green energy transition and critical raw material strategy.