Fostering Social License to Operate
Join the conversation shaping the future of mining.
The Mining Social License Summit brings together industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and community stakeholders to explore how mining can earn and sustain public trust while advancing national priorities in clean energy, economic development, and environmental stewardship.
Modern mining faces complex challenges—and even greater opportunities. As global demand for minerals grows alongside concerns over environmental and social impacts, industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and communities must come together to chart a path forward. The Mining Social License Summit is where that conversation happens.
Held at the University of Arizona, a national leader in mining education and research, the Summit fosters open, evidence-based dialogue on the role of mining in a just and sustainable future. It is a platform for balanced perspectives—bringing together voices from industry, government, academia, Tribal Nations, NGOs, and the public—to discuss how mining can earn and sustain public trust while meeting urgent national and global needs.
Global cultural awareness is paramount, particularly in respecting indigenous and local communities, safeguarding cultural heritage sites, and prioritizing community health. These elements are essential not only for fostering an equitable world but also for maintaining the social license to operate within diverse communities.
SLO: Why It Matters
Arizona is the top copper-producing state in the nation and a critical hub for domestic mineral supply chains. Mining is foundational to clean energy technologies, national security, and economic growth—yet it cannot advance without community support and environmental stewardship. As the U.S. seeks to responsibly expand critical mineral development, conversations around transparency, equity, and accountability are more important than ever.
This Summit highlights the University of Arizona’s central role in shaping that conversation. By leveraging its interdisciplinary research, community partnerships, and technical expertise, the School of Mining & Mineral Resources is helping ensure that the path to progress is informed, inclusive, and grounded in real-world solutions.
Educating for an Equitable World
Our educational philosophy goes beyond technical proficiency; it’s about nurturing a holistic understanding of the world. We embed global and equitable values into our curriculum, encouraging students to embrace innovative thinking and meaningful interactions. This dual strategy—integrating relevant global content and fostering diverse perspectives—ensures our graduates are not only experts in their fields but also champions of cultural sensitivity and ethical practice.
UArizona's International Mining Social License Summit
In April 2024, the School of Mining & Mineral Resources held its inaugural Mining Social License Summit, a first-of-its-kind forum for sharing best practices and the latest thinking and technologies for building, maintaining, and rebuilding social license to operate for mining.
With distinguished speakers like U.S. Ambassador Todd Chapman, international mining company leaders, and global consultants on the front lines of community voice, this event hosted nearly 200 attendees from around the world who are breaking boundaries to operate, and who shared their experiences and knowledge to help everyone achieve greater social license success.
