Author: César Sáenz | Published in: Resources Policy, 2019
Scope: Peru
This study by César Sáenz investigates how mining companies in Peru acquire and sustain a social license to operate (SLO) by analyzing three real-world mining operations. The author applies stakeholder theory to understand how companies navigate complex social and environmental dynamics to build community legitimacy. The findings highlight that early engagement, transparency, and trust-building measures, especially around environmental and health concerns—are key to earning acceptance from host communities.
The study categorizes CSR strategies into three dimensions: defensive, compliance-driven, and strategic. Sáenz argues that companies operating in Peru’s Andes must evolve from minimal compliance to proactive, strategic approaches to address community expectations. He notes that these strategies must be adapted continuously throughout the project lifecycle and tailored to local cultural and territorial contexts. The research also reveals that poor communication and delays in addressing grievances can swiftly erode any social capital earned.
This study is directly relevant to the recent copper transport blockade in Peru and broader mining tensions. It supports the idea that obtaining legal permits is not sufficient—mining firms must actively maintain social legitimacy through inclusive dialogue and tailored benefit-sharing. The research offers a useful lens to interpret why the failure to engage with informal miners or rural stakeholders, as seen in July 2025, can provoke operational disruptions despite formal compliance.