The aim of the project is to equip PhD students and mining professionals with industry-demand skills required for sustainable development within the mining and raw materials sectors, which is to master the complex issues of a Social Licence to Operate (SLO). The aim of the PRO-SLO project is to bridge the gap between raw materials operations and economic, social and ethical discourse and to provide the raw materials industry with future leaders for SLO issues by training PhD students to master the complex SLO process, and act as ambassadors for the raw materials industry. The target audience is PhD candidates.

The project incorporates innovative teaching/learning methods, supplemented with field excursions, behavioral-experiments and challenge based assessments to ensure participant competence. Mentors from industry will aid informal/formal learning exchange.

In accordance with the European 'Digital Education Action Plan', the PhD school will be an asynchronous / synchronous format with a clear learning pathway. The PRO-SLO school will enable doctoral students to understand, reflect, discuss, negotiate and resolve challenges at various stages of SLO processes. Upon successful completion, participants will be equipped with the required knowledge, skills and attitudes to successfully navigate the complexities of the SLO process and bring these competences to industry. This benefits them professionally and also civil society and the RM sector, and helps to safe-guard the RM industry's SLO.