Timing your safeguards in mining

Many governments hope to use mining to boost economic growth and engage in the mineral-intensive ‘green energy’ transition. But if they don’t ensure environmental and social safeguards are included from the start, when they first grant mineral exploration licences to prospecting companies, they risk repeating the same mistakes at the root of many mining conflicts. 

This toolkit is part of the ALIGN Governance Flashes, a series of short guidance notes designed to alert government officials of critical land-based investment governance considerations and possible responses to issues that might be falling through the cracks, leading to conflicts and poor outcomes.