Social Acceptance of Mining Exploration Projects: Case Study from an Austrian Town

Abstract Achieving social acceptance for new exploration projects in the EU has become significantly challenging in recent years. In 2020 a company started a new construction materials project in an Austrian municipality. However, after three years of development, the project failed due to substantial opposition from the local community. This contribution aims to investigate the main reasons for the project’s failure and to analyze the diverse perceptions that emerged during the discussion. To address these objectives, semi-structured interviews were conducted with citizens involved in the debate. The findings were then compared with those from related studies to identify similarities and differences. The analysis shows that transparency is the key success factor for mining projects, while dust, noise, and traffic are the most relevant disruptive factors. The interviewees acknowledged the critical role of mining in strengthening the EU’s independence and economy, while emphasizing the need to enhance public awareness regarding its significance.