Critical review of criteria for Social License to Operate - requirements and implementation

Social performance is becoming increasingly in demand due to the growing emphasis in industry on sustainable practices and the willingness of mining companies to adhere to the concept and principles of the social license to operate (SLO). The difficulty in meeting the SLO criteria arises from a widespread lack of clarity about their specific components. This uncertainty creates challenges for mining companies seeking to comply with these criteria, as there is a lack of a clear and commonly accepted definition and understanding of the elements that compose the SLO. The primary objective of this research is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the SLO, exploring its conceptualization, key stakeholders, and theoretical frameworks. The study aims to delve into critical examining of SLO criteria and investigating the intricate relationship between the SLO and sustainable development goals (SDGs) through examining case studies of mining companies. The research methodology was applied based on the literature on the subject, scientific articles and reviewing annual sustainability reports issued by mining companies. The study presents the results of the comparative case study of three mining companies in the Iberian Pyrite Belt, using method of House of Quality Analysis (HOQ). By analyzing case studies of companies' SLO performance in their reports, the research detected similarities and variations in meeting the SLO standards. The results of the analysis have provided valuable insights into which activities yield best results in the SLO attainment, which SLO criteria maximize the likelihood of success in maintaining the SLO, highlighting industry-specific best practices.