Tracing SLO in the Mongolian Mining Sector

Although a social license to operate (SLO) has been a prerequisite for mineral development, the method to obtain and keep it has always been an issue. It is only achievable with a tailored approach since different community needs exist due to each country and community’s geographical, political, and historical context. Nevertheless, it is meaningful to conduct case studies to accumulate the best practices globally. This chapter traces SLO in the Mongolian mining sector, attempting to analyze its relationship with sustainable development and government involvement. The analysis found that the role of the government should not be underestimated in achieving SLO. Mongolia has introduced a law that obliges companies to conclude a Local Level Agreement (LLA) with the local governments when they develop mineral projects. Along with other schemes, the government is engaged in resolving issues between businesses and the community from a local development perspective. It can be suggested that SLO should not be left between the community and the corporation, but rather that active involvement from the government perspective would drive the evolution of SLO and lead to sustainable development in the country.