Title: Integration of Stakeholder Engagement Practices in Pursuit of Social Licence to Operate in a Modernising Mining Industry
Author/Institution: N. S. Chipangamate et al., University of the Witwatersrand
Publication Year: 2023
Mining Governance in Complex Stakeholder Ecosystems
Chipangamate and colleagues analyze how modern mining operations increasingly function within complex stakeholder ecosystems involving governments, communities, NGOs, investors, and international institutions. Their research highlights that securing social license now requires coordinated governance systems capable of addressing multiple stakeholder expectations simultaneously.
Digital Transparency and ESG Pressures
The study notes that digital transparency and the rise of ESG frameworks have intensified scrutiny of mining operations. Environmental or social conflicts can rapidly gain international visibility, amplify reputational risks and forcing companies to adopt more proactive engagement strategies.
Implications for Industry Legitimacy
The authors conclude that companies capable of integrating stakeholder engagement into their operational structures are more likely to maintain legitimacy and avoid conflict. Effective governance therefore becomes a critical determinant of project stability and investment attractiveness.