Author: Milica Kosić

Registration is now open for the RM-SLO-PLUS-HUB Training Package, a two-day online programme designed to strengthen knowledge and practical skills related to the Social License to Operate (SLO) in the European raw materials sector.

Building on the success of the RM-SLO-PLUS-HUB webinar series, this training package provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of stakeholder engagement, ESG principles, and sustainable practices essential for responsible raw materials projects.

Training Details

Dates: 21–22 September 2026
Format: Online
Delivered by leading European experts and project partners

What You Will Learn

Participants will gain practical knowledge on:

• Social License to Operate (SLO) concepts and implementation
• Stakeholder engagement and effective communication strategies
• ESG principles and sustainability in the raw materials sector
• Best practice examples from across Europe
• Practical tools for responsible and sustainable project development

The programme is intended for students, researchers, industry professionals, public authorities, policymakers, NGOs, and all stakeholders interested in responsible raw materials management and sustainable development.

Register Now

Complete the registration form to reserve your place and join experts and professionals from across Europe in advancing knowledge and best practices on Social License to Operate.

👉 https://link.webropolsurveys.com/EventParticipation/EventPublic/d62c2edc-1d58-49a4-b1d6-890e81519edb?displayId=Fin3705242

Delivered by: LUT University
Supported by: EIT RawMaterials

Following the successful completion of the RM-SLO-PLUS-HUB webinar series, we are pleased to announce the upcoming RM-SLO-PLUS-HUB Training Package, which will take place on 21–22 September 2026.

The two-day training programme will bring together experts, researchers, industry representatives, policymakers and other stakeholders to further explore the concept of Social License to Operate (SLO) in the European raw materials sector.

Participants will have the opportunity to gain practical knowledge through expert-led sessions covering key topics such as stakeholder engagement, sustainability, community relations and responsible raw materials development. The programme is designed to encourage knowledge exchange and discussion, while providing participants with practical tools and insights that can be applied in real-world contexts.

The RM-SLO-PLUS-HUB Training Package is intended for students, researchers, industry professionals, public authorities and all stakeholders interested in strengthening their understanding of SLO principles and their implementation across the raw materials value chain.

Dates: 21–22 September 2026

Further information regarding the agenda, speakers and registration will be announced soon.

Stay tuned and save the date!

While we prepare for the next phase of the RM-SLO-PLUS-HUB training package, we are reflecting on the valuable knowledge and best practices shared throughout our webinar series.

One of the featured case studies was presented by our project partner Hellas Gold, showcasing the Kassandra Mines as an example of how transparency, continuous stakeholder engagement and long-term investment in local communities contribute to building and sustaining a Social License to Operate. Hellas Gold also brings this expertise to the RM-SLO-PLUS-HUB project through its contribution to the development of practical consulting services that will support companies and stakeholders in addressing SLO-related challenges.

We are pleased to see these principles reflected in practice through Hellas Gold’s recent media visit to the Skouries project. By welcoming journalists on site and encouraging open dialogue, the company provided first-hand insight into the project’s progress, environmental management practices, advanced technologies and its broader social and economic impact, while highlighting the strategic role of responsible copper production for Europe’s green and digital transitions.

Experiences like these demonstrate that transparency is not simply about sharing information, it is about creating opportunities for dialogue, strengthening trust and supporting informed discussions around responsible raw materials development.

At RM-SLO-PLUS-HUB, these are exactly the kinds of approaches we aim to strengthen through training, knowledge exchange, best practice sharing and practical guidance for the raw materials sector.

As part of the RM-SLO-PLUS-HUB Webinar Series, leading experts from academia and industry shared their perspectives on the key principles of the Social License to Operate (SLO) and its growing importance for the sustainable development of the raw materials sector.

One of these valuable contributions came from Professor Michael Tost, Professor for Sustainable Mining Technology at Montanuniversität Leoben, who highlighted a fundamental message that is increasingly shaping responsible mining projects worldwide:

“A legal license is no longer enough. Projects also need a social license to operate.”

Professor Tost emphasized that while regulations, permits and legal frameworks provide the formal basis for developing mining projects, long-term success depends on something equally important: the trust, acceptance and support of the communities that are directly or indirectly affected by these activities.

Unlike legal permits, a Social License to Operate cannot be granted by legislation or regulatory authorities. It is earned over time through transparency, meaningful dialogue, fairness, accountability and continuous stakeholder engagement. Building and maintaining trust requires an ongoing commitment to listening to communities, addressing concerns and creating shared value.

This perspective reflects one of the core principles promoted by the RM-SLO-PLUS-HUB project. Through its webinar series, training activities and practical consulting services, the project aims to strengthen knowledge and provide stakeholders with the tools and best practices needed to support responsible and socially accepted raw materials development across Europe.