Integrating new tactics for mineral exploration and Social License to Operate into geoscientists' training and life-long learning: Lessons learned through the INFACT Project

Effective transfer of knowledge gained through international research and development projects (i.e. FP7, H2020 etc.) to either university curricula or to vocational training often fails. For this reason, the INFACT project, financed through the H2020 programme, paid special attention to knowledge transfer in the disciplines of mineral exploration and mining. A key objective of INFACT objective was to provide knowledge transfer opportunities for master’s and PhD students, young scientists, the community, wider society, policy makers and exploration practitioners in the areas of mineral exploration and Social License to Operate. This was achieved through integrating education initiatives with a variety of stakeholders into INFACT’s tasks, to enable a longer-lasting impact. Emphasis was put on activities that included formal education education as well as lifelong learning for wider society and professional development through passive (informative) and active training. The topics addressed focused on the raw materials value chain, upstream primary exploration activities, the sustainability aspects of exploration tools, and social acceptance of mining and exploration best practices. In addition, education initiatives provided a mechanism to disseminate information regarding the INFACT project and its progress via tailored messages for respective key stakeholders.