Conference on SLE, SLO and Green Mining Concepts
16 September, 2025Official title: Workshop and Conference on SLE & SLO & Green Mining concept
Date: 15 - 16.09.2025
- Sustainable exploration practices and effective mineral governance.
- Modern approaches to mineral exploration and SLO/SLE.
- Latest research and practical learning on sustainable resources management.
- Importance of active communication and engagement.
- Sustainability criteria and practices in the mining industry.
- Kairi Põldsaar, EGT
- Toni Eerola, GTK
- Juha Kaija, GTK
- Florian Smit, GEUS
The Geological Survey of Estonia (EGT) is organising, through the EU-funded Horizon Europe twinning project EGT-TWINN, a workshop and hybrid conference dedicated to Social License to Explore, Social License to Operate and the Green Mining concept on 15 – 16 September 2025 in Tallinn, Estonia.
Mineral exploration often takes place on
private lands, which can arouse curiosity and suspicion among landowners and
local communities. This initial phase of exploration marks the first point of
contact between a company and the community, making it crucial for building a
positive relationship. Establishing good relations is key to gaining access to
land for exploration. Active communication and engagement from the outset can
help alleviate suspicions and lay the sustainable groundwork for dialogue and
collaboration.
Mineral exploration projects must be carefully planned, prepared, and executed, taking the local context and communities into account. Sensitive contexts prone to conflicts need to be avoided as much as possible. The conditions during the exploration phase can influence subsequent stages of the project. Evaluating mineral exploration through sustainability criteria, such as those developed by the Finnish Network for Sustainable Mining, is essential. Additionally, the state and its authorities play a significant role in ensuring sustainable exploration practices and avoiding conflicts as part of effective mineral governance.
This conference and the related workshop offer a platform for various stakeholders (including, e.g., EGT, companies, authorities, universities, and consultancy firms) to collaborate, share knowledge, and develop strategies for sustainable mineral exploration.
During the workshop and conference, you will:
- Learn about best practices for engaging with local communities and gaining access to land for exploration,
- Gain insights into sustainable exploration practices and effective mineral governance.
- Enhance your understanding of modern approaches to mineral exploration and SLO/SLE.
- Benefit from the latest research and practical learning sessions on sustainable natural resources management.
- Understand the importance of active communication and engagement from mineral exploration companies.
- Learn about the sustainability criteria and practices being promoted in the mining industry.
- Gain knowledge on how to support sustainable exploration practices and avoid conflicts.
- Practical exercises to train SLO issues.
