What Procedures Matter to Social Acceptance of Mining? A Conjoint Experiment in Peru

In a June 2024 study published in World Development, Okada conducted a conjoint experiment in four Peruvian mining regions to examine which project attributes shape community acceptance. The findings highlight that procedural fairness—especially consultation processes that include voting—has the strongest positive impact on public support, even more than material benefits. Environmental safeguards also play a key role: when risks are clearly addressed, communities become more receptive to benefit-sharing. The research concludes that transparent planning and genuine participation are essential for securing social acceptance, while weak engagement erodes trust regardless of compensation.