Title: Strategies to Gain a Social License to Operate in the Mining Industry
Author/Institution: Kevin De La Torre – Doctoral Dissertation, Walden University
Publication Year: 2021
Corporate Engagement and Local Legitimacy
This doctoral study examines the strategies mining managers employ to secure and maintain the social license to operate (SLO) in Peru, one of the world’s most contested mining landscapes. De La Torre frames SLO as a critical determinant of operational success, highlighting that regulatory approval alone is insufficient if communities withhold their consent. The research positions stakeholder dialogue, local investment, and trust-building as corporate imperatives that directly shape project viability.
Research Design and Key Findings
Using a qualitative multiple-case study approach, the dissertation draws on in-depth interviews with mining executives and community leaders across Peru’s southern Andes. Findings reveal that companies able to establish sustained two-way communication, deliver visible benefits such as employment and infrastructure, and respect local governance structures are more likely to obtain durable community acceptance. Conversely, projects that neglect early engagement or prioritize short-term economic gains over social commitments often face strikes, protests, and costly interruptions.
Implications for Practice and Policy
The dissertation emphasizes that SLO must be institutionalized within corporate planning frameworks rather than treated as ad hoc crisis management. For practitioners, the research provides a framework of best practices: continuous stakeholder mapping, transparent communication, participatory monitoring, and alignment of corporate social programs with community priorities. For policymakers, the study suggests that stronger regulatory guidelines on consultation and benefit-sharing could reduce social conflict and strengthen governance in mining regions.