University of Arizona Leads Conversation on Mining’s Future at Social License Summit
The University of Arizona’s School of Mining and Mineral Resources recently hosted the Mining Social License Summit, bringing together voices from academia, industry, government, and the nonprofit sector for two days of dialogue on the future of mining.
The summit, held in Tucson between April 22 and 24, emphasized the importance of responsible mining practices that balance economic development, community well-being, and environmental stewardship. Topics included Indigenous community engagement, workforce development, regulatory challenges, technological innovation, and sustainable mining practices critical to meeting the growing demand for minerals essential to the clean energy transition and national security.
“Arizona is the leading producer of copper in the United States, producing over 74% of the nation's copper,” said Arizona State Mine Inspector Paul Marsh, who attended the event. “Every piece of green energy, national security, energy grid all relies on copper.”
The University of Arizona is staking a claim in this critical national conversation. As one of the most pressing challenges facing the domestic mining industry, the social license to operate — the informal, ongoing acceptance of mining activities by local communities and society at large — is now a central focus of the School of Mining and Mineral Resources. The Summit is part of a broader initiative by the University to pioneer research, outreach, and policy discourse around earning and maintaining social trust in mining operations.
Through panel discussions, workshops, and roundtable sessions, attendees explored strategies for strengthening mining’s social license — with an eye toward fairness, transparency, and long-term sustainability.
By hosting the Summit, the University of Arizona reaffirmed its leadership in shaping mining practices that support economic prosperity, environmental health, and social trust in Arizona and beyond.
