The Horizon Europe CRM-geothermal project: Deliverable 4.2 – Social Licence to Operate – Guidelines for Combined Geothermal–Metal Extraction Projects

Combined geothermal – metal extraction projects offer a new way to produce critical raw materials, supplementing or replacing traditional mining methods and reducing the environmental, social and societal risks and adverse impacts associated with mineral and metal production. The successful development and operation of combined extraction projects is underpinned by a social licence to operate (SLO), obtained from local communities and other relevant stakeholders. These Guidelines provide advice for the management and staff of combined extraction projects that wish to engage with stakeholders and develop and maintain SLO. The Guidelines are also intended for use by stakeholders as a source of information on what they should expect from responsible combined extraction projects in terms of inclusive stakeholder engagement, the communication of information or other good practice linked to SLO. Although the Guidelines have been developed as part of a European Union funded project, they may be useful in other regions and countries – with appropriate local adaptation – as the core concept of establishing legitimacy, credibility and trust to build SLO is relevant everywhere in the world.