Welcome to a new episode in our mining arc!

In the previous two episodes, we covered the geopolitics of critical minerals and whether deep sea mining is the innovation we need to meet growing demand for critical clean tech raw materials.

This week, we turn to one of the most important lessons emerging from the mining sector: modern projects succeed when trust is built before extraction begins. How mines affect and benefit people, especially those isolated communities that live on resource-rich land, is becoming an essential part of effective mining operations.

Around half of the world’s untapped energy transition minerals are located on or near land inhabited by Indigenous and peasant communities, according to a 2022 study by the University of the Free State and the University of Queensland.

As demand for these resources grows, developers are learning that access to minerals alone is not enough. Communities expect to be part of the process, and in many jurisdictions they now have the power to delay or stop projects altogether. That means success depends not just on access to land, capital or permits, but on whether communities believe they have been properly heard, respected and included.

In this week’s episode, Giulia interviews JP Gladu, founder and principal at Indigenous-led consulting firm Mokwateh, about what it really means to gain the social licence to operate. 

JP explains his “involve and support” mantra: involve communities from the earliest stages of project design, not after decisions have already been made, and support them with the resources they need to participate properly. 

That might mean providing clear information about the project, funding access to advisers and technical experts or creating intermediaries who can bridge communication gaps and ensure everyone understands what is being proposed. JP argues that this approach not only produces fairer outcomes, but can reduce opposition, improve project design, and ultimately speed up development by addressing conflict before it begins. Overall, this describes a shift from consultation to real community involvement, and that changes the dynamic entirely.

What’s happening in the mining industry is showing us that the fastest, cheapest, most effective way to build major projects is no longer to bulldoze ahead and manage resistance later; it is to build legitimacy, trust and partnership from the start.

And although this may be most visible in the mining industry,  the lesson extends far beyond the sector. As trust in institutions declines and stakeholder expectations rise, industries across the economy are learning the same lesson: having permission to act is no longer enough if you lack legitimacy with the people affected.

Key takeaways:

• Early community engagement is crucial for project success

• Supporting indigenous ownership benefits all stakeholders

• Why partnership improves outcomes for companies and communities alike

• What other industries can learn from mining’s evolving approach

Further reading:

• Energy transition minerals and their intersection with land-connected peoples

• Indigenous-led Pathways for Sustainable Futures in Mining Regions

• What is benefit sharing and why does it matter?

• Indigenous groups push for mine ownership, not just benefits

• First Nations Coalition says Indigenous equity key to faster mining approvals in Canada

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