1. C O N V E N E S
P R E S E N T S
C O O R D I N A T E S
O R G A N I Z E S
C O L L A B O R A T E S
M E D I A P A R T N E R

2. “First Meeting of the Network of Mining Regions”
The Social License to Operate as Vehicle to Create Win-Win Situations for Host Communities and Mining Companies
Prof. W. Eberhard Falck
WEFalck Scientific Advisory and Consultancy Services
Saint-Cloud (Paris), France

3. Context: The Public Perception of Mining
“First Meeting of the Network of Mining Regions”
Context: The Public Perception of Mining
The public’s picture of mining is shaped by the past
Historically, mining companies often showed social / environmental indifference and a nonchalant attitude towards impacts
The societal discourse about mining
is embedded into a wider discourse about economical and political equity
is mainly carried by local/regional societies, but may extend to national and international relations
has a time-profile — mines have a limited life-time, but leave a burden of mining legacies
Therefore, a full life-cycle approach is needed for building a durable relationship between mining communities and the mine

4. Societal Choices and Durable Relationships
“First Meeting of the Network of Mining Regions”
Societal Choices and Durable Relationships
Trust is the basis of durable relationships
Trust is acknowledging each other’s norms and values – violating them leads to a breakdown in relationships
Regional / local development options are a problem of ‘social choice’:
Each option will produce different benefits, costs and risks
There is uncertainty due to natural system complexity and to social indeterminacies
(Long-term) consequences of decisions are unknown
Creating a win-win requires a sustained dialogue and participation over the life- cycle of a mine
A mine can contribute to the socio-economic sustainability beyond its life, e.g. through providing education and training
This dialogue to achieve a ‘Social License’ is a perpetuum mobile

5. Chicken-and-Egg Problems of Locally Unwanted Land Uses (LULU)
“First Meeting of the Network of Mining Regions”
Chicken-and-Egg Problems of Locally Unwanted Land Uses (LULU)
Resistance to LULU projects arises in many areas = NIMBY- syndrom
A society is build on sharing benefits and burdens, but at local level a ‘fair’ distribution often cannot be achieved
A regional approach, built on a regional identity, offers more choices and alternatives
New mines are often developed in remote regions with little or no infrastructure
The mine will attract people due to economic opportunities
For instance, the uranium mines in northern Niger led to the development of the town of Arlit with more than inhabitants
Inhabitants now accuse the mines of degrading their environment and drinking water
However, there would be no town without the mines and the mine provides the drinking water and other infrastructure
Mining companies have to be mindful that they create a socio-economic system that develops its own dynamics

6. A Development Paradoxon
“First Meeting of the Network of Mining Regions”
A Development Paradoxon
The mining industry works on improved processes and techniques for low- impact, low-visibility mines – e.g. the project I2Mine (
Automation and remotely controlled plant and vehicles reduce the need for dangerous work-places at the face
But: skills profiles move towards educated and highly qualified personnel
Such skills may not be available locally, leaving local communities behind
With no employment opportunities negative stances to mining may rise
Mining companies may have to invest locally into education and skills development in order to create a win-win situation

7. Empowering through shared knowledge
“First Meeting of the Network of Mining Regions”
Empowering through shared knowledge
Stakeholders‘ attitudes are based on information and knowledge
Sources of information must be considered trustworthy
Information must be understandable and tell what is happening and why
Independent and unbiased information enable stakeholders to partipate in decision-finding processes in a meaningful way
Information is more than data - it is the context that gives meaning to data
Social media here can be a source of both, information and misinformation
Operators and regulators should provide the means to stakeholders to generate independently data and information
Empowering stakeholders through knowledge fosters win-win-situations

8. Factors Conducive to Win-Win Outcomes
“First Meeting of the Network of Mining Regions”
Factors Conducive to Win-Win Outcomes
Process – decisions-making should be designed to be iterative, flexible and facilitating collective involvement
Structure - clear roles and responsibilities must be assigned to actors:
their interdependencies made visible
there should be a responsible body to help keep the processes moving
Behaviour - individuals and institutions must demonstrate core values:
All: be respectful of each other’s roles, norms and vlaues
Experts: competent and rigorous in their field of expertise
Regulator: open, transparent and willing to involve others
Mine: pro-active in initiating dialogue
Mine: willing to listen and respond to stakeholder concerns

9. “First Meeting of the Network of Mining Regions”
Conclusions
People want to have a say on the local development - but what is local ?
The NIMBY-syndrom often prevents developments that have the potential to result in a win-win situation
A regional approach, with sharing benefits and burdens across a region may take the edge off the NIMBY-syndrom
This requires the building of a regional identy
Mining companies will have to acknowledge that not only the immediate neighbours are valid stakeholders
Active involvement in the regional development are an expression of CRS
A life-cycle approach is needed, taking into consideration also the time after active mining

10. C O N V E N E S
P R E S E N T S
C O O R D I N A T E S
O R G A N I Z E S
C O L L A B O R A T E S
M E D I A P A R T N E R