Social License Risk Scoring Matrix (SLRSM) v3.1 Template

The SLRSM v3.1 operates on the foundational premise that social license to operate (SLO) is not granted formally but earned continuously through perceived legitimacy, fairness, transparency, and responsiveness to community expectations. It structures risk assessment around five core domains: (1) Community Engagement Effectiveness, (2) Perceived Fairness & Equity, (3) Grievance Redress Mechanism Adequacy, (4) Institutional & Regulatory Alignment, and (5) Socioeconomic Impact Perception. Each domain comprises 8–12 observable indicators scored on a 0–5 scale (0 = absent/non-functional; 5 = fully embedded, independently verified), with domain weights calibrated per project context (e.g., high-weighting for grievance mechanisms in historically contested regions). The matrix supports both baseline SLO diagnostics and longitudinal tracking via time-series score comparisons, enabling early-warning identification of erosion trends. Critically, v3.1 embeds 'stakeholder salience mapping'—linking scores to specific stakeholder groups (e.g., Indigenous rights-holders, local government, youth networks)—to guide targeted mitigation planning. Its Excel implementation includes automated validation rules, conditional formatting for risk thresholds (Green/Yellow/Red), and export-ready outputs aligned with GRI 402, IFC Performance Standard 1, and ICMM’s Integrated Thinking Protocol.