Critical Mineral Security and the Social License to Operate
As the US and other Western countries rush to secure access to critical minerals, companies face pressure to move quickly and dispense with environmental and social protections. This briefing note argues that such an approach will backfire.
Earning and maintaining a social license to operate from local communities is essential for project sustainability, reliability, and supply security. Without it, social conflict and litigation brought by affected communities can halt mineral extraction or force project abandonment, disrupting critical mineral supply chains.