News – SLO Hub for the RM Sector

Registration Now Open: RM-SLO-PLUS-HUB Training Package

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

Save the Date: RM-SLO-PLUS-HUB Training Package to Take Place on 21–22 September 2026

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!

From Webinar Insights to Real-World Action: Hellas Gold Showcases SLO at Kassandra Mines

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.

A New RM SLO PLUS HUB Training Package is Coming Soon

Following the success of its previous webinar rounds, the RM SLO Plus Hub is pleased to announce a new training package dedicated to Social License to Operate (SLO) and its growing importance for the future of Europe’s raw materials sector.
Bringing together leading experts, researchers, industry representatives, policymakers and other stakeholders, the upcoming event will provide a platform for knowledge sharing, dialogue and collaboration on the social, environmental and governance challenges facing the sector.

The new training package will build on the strong engagement achieved during the previous editions, which attracted participants from across Europe and fostered valuable discussions on stakeholder engagement, sustainability, responsible mining practices and community relations.

Exploring key challenges and opportunities

The upcoming training package will address topics related to Social License to Operate, stakeholder engagement, ESG principles, public perception, regulatory developments and practical approaches for strengthening trust between raw materials projects and society.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and exchange perspectives on how the sector can contribute to Europe’s green and digital transitions while ensuring social acceptance and long-term sustainability.

Join the conversation

Whether you are a researcher, industry professional, policymaker, student or stakeholder interested in sustainable raw materials development, this training package offers a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of Social License to Operate and connect with experts and peers from across Europe.
Further information on the programme, speakers and registration will be announced soon.
Stay tuned and join us in shaping a more sustainable, responsible and socially accepted future for Europe’s raw materials sector.

Professor Michael Tost Shares Key Insights on the SLO

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.

RM SLO PLUS HUB successfully completes two webinar rounds

Social License to Operate training for the European raw materials sector

The programme was structured around two complementary themes: Foundations of Social License to Operate and Application and Practice for Real-World Challenges.
Through expert-led sessions and interactive discussions, participants explored stakeholder engagement strategies, ESG and regulatory frameworks, communication approaches and practical experiences from mining and raw materials projects across Europe.
The two webinar editions attracted a cumulative total of 192 participants, exceeding the project’s participation targets and demonstrating the growing interest in Social License to Operate and sustainable mining practices. Participants joined from a wide range of European countries, creating a valuable environment for cross-sector learning and collaboration.
The webinar series featured contributions from leading experts representing universities, research organisations, industry associations and consultancy bodies across Europe.

Building trust and social acceptance in mining projects

Beyond knowledge sharing, the webinars created opportunities for dialogue, networking and the exchange of best practices among participants.
Attendees gained a deeper understanding of Social License to Operate in the European context, practical tools for stakeholder engagement and insights from real-world case studies.

The successful completion of the webinar series marks an important milestone for the RM SLO PLUS HUB and reinforces its commitment to supporting responsible mining, stakeholder engagement and sustainable development across Europe’s raw materials value chain.
Further training and engagement activities will continue to strengthen collaboration and help shape a more resilient and socially accepted future for the sector.

RM SLO PLUS HUB Webinar Series Continues Tomorrow

The second round of the RM SLO PLUS HUB Webinar Series will take place tomorrow, bringing together experts, researchers, students and stakeholders interested in the topic of Social License to Operate (SLO) in the raw materials sector.

The webinar series focuses on building trust, strengthening stakeholder engagement and promoting sustainable and responsible practices across the raw materials value chain. Participants will have the opportunity to explore both theoretical foundations and practical approaches related to SLO implementation, ESG challenges, communication strategies and practical case studies.

The programme will be held online on 26–27 May 2026, with sessions delivered by experts from partner institutions involved in the RM-SLO-PLUS-HUB project.

Registration is still open for all interested participants.

The webinar is organised within the framework of the RM-SLO-PLUS-HUB project, supported by EIT RawMaterials and delivered by LUT University.

EIT RawMaterials Summit in Brussels

Within the stakeholder workshop “Critical Materials & Battery Value Chains”, organised by the EU project #Li4Life and co-organised by the European Lithium Institute (eLi) and our RM SLO PLUS HUB project partner, the Iberian Sustainable Mining Cluster (ISMC), the SLO webinar was presented by Alicia García (ISMC).

Nearly 40 participants from industry and academia across Europe showed strong interest and engaged in valuable discussions around Social Licence to Operate (SLO) and sustainable practices within the raw materials sector.

Our webinar comes at the right moment, providing rich content on SLO and its applications across the entire raw materials value chain. If you have not registered yet, please do so here.

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Advancing Dialogue and Trust: SLO Conference Held in Katowice

On 12 May 2026, representatives of academia, industry, public administration and non-governmental organisations gathered in Katowice, Poland, for the conference “Social License to Operate”. An event was dedicated to strengthening dialogue, trust and cooperation between local communities and companies operating in the raw materials sector. The conference was organised within the framework of international activities carried out by Permia 1 Sp. z o.o., Grupa Altum and MEERI PAS, all actively engaged in promoting the concept of Social License to Operate (SLO). The event highlighted the growing importance of responsible communication, stakeholder engagement and long-term relationship building in the context of sustainable raw materials development.

A strong contribution to the conference programme came from project representatives Professor Joanna Kulczycka and Dr Olga Janikowska, who addressed key aspects of Social License to Operate (SLO) implementation, with a focus on education, communication, and socio-environmental conflicts. Professor Kulczycka (AGH University of Krakow) highlighted the role of education, promotion, and good practices in raising awareness of SLO among companies and local communities, emphasizing knowledge-sharing and transparent communication as key drivers of social acceptance. Dr Janikowska (MEERI PAS) presented “Between Development and Resistance: How Do Socio-Environmental Conflicts Affect SLO?”, examining how such conflicts shape stakeholder perceptions and relations, and how, when properly managed, they can improve transparency and dialogue with local communities.

Throughout the conference, speakers repeatedly emphasized that Social License to Operate is not a formal permit, but an ongoing social process based on trust, transparency and credibility. Participants discussed the need for early stakeholder engagement, responsible resource management and continuous dialogue with local communities, especially in sectors where industrial projects may have significant environmental and social impacts.

The event also provided an important platform for interdisciplinary exchange, bringing together different perspectives to address the future of responsible raw materials activities in Europe. The discussions confirmed that SLO is becoming an increasingly important element of sustainable development and energy transition strategies.

RM SLO PLUS HUB Webinar 2026 Successfully Held

The first RM SLO PLUS HUB Webinar 2026 successfully brought together researchers, industry representatives, project partners, and experts from across Europe for two days of discussion dedicated to Social License to Operate (SLO) in the raw materials sector. Through a series of lectures, case studies, and interactive discussions, participants explored key topics including SLO foundations, governance and ESG frameworks, stakeholder engagement, conflict dynamics, public consultation, and communication approaches for strengthening dialogue between industry and society.

The webinar created a collaborative space for exchanging perspectives and practical experiences, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary and international cooperation in addressing current challenges related to responsible and sustainable raw materials development. Contributions from partner institutions and experts across Europe further enriched the discussion and reflected the strong collaborative network behind the RM SLO PLUS HUB initiative.

The second round of RM SLO PLUS HUB Webinar will take place on 26–27 May 2026.

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Category: News