Supporting the return of mining? The role of collective memory and perceived impacts in post-extractive communities

Mine reactivation is increasingly pursued to meet critical mineral demand and revitalise post-industrial regions. Although social license to operate and mining impacts have received substantial attention in the literature, the socio-cultural factors shaping community acceptance of reactivation projects remain underexplored, especially in communities with strong mining legacies. In these contexts, collective memory and identity may play a crucial role in shaping local perceptions and community support. This study investigates how collective memory and identity influence community perceptions of mining impacts and support for mine reactivation. We focused on Borralha, a village in northern Portugal founded in the early twentieth century around tungsten mining, whose economy, social fabric, and identity have been deeply shaped by decades of extractive activity. Using a mixed-methods design, quantitative data from a resident survey were used to develop a PLS-SEM model to test hypothesized relationships. Qualitative data from focus groups were analysed through content analysis to contextualise and deepen the quantitative findings. Results show that collective memory and identity have a direct positive effect on perceptions of mining impacts, which significantly influence their support for mine reactivation. The findings indicate a significant indirect effect of memory and identity on support, mediated by impact perceptions. Qualitative findings further substantiate the quantitative findings. This study advances empirical understanding of how memory and identity shape perceptions of mining impacts and acceptance of reactivation, offering a rare model linking these factors in a European post-extractive context, with clear implications for policy design. • Memory and identity shapes how mining impacts are socially perceived. • Memory and identity influence community support for mine reactivation. • Impact perceptions strongly influence support for mine reactivation. • Reactivation is seen as both economic and identity reconstruction. • Policies must align reactivation projects with local memory and community identity.