This is the final version.The Horizons 2020 HiTech AlkCarb project planned a 300m deep research drill hole, together
with geological and geophysical explora<on studies, in southwest Germany, all carried out to
international minerals exploration best practice. The geology and geophysics were well
received by the local public, authori<es and poli<cians. However, the local politicians
expressed concerns about the drill hole and requested a long term insurance policy against
any nega<ve impacts. In prac<ce, this meant that the research team could not drill the hole.
The cause of this concern was the nega<ve public percep<on of drilling caused by problems
with two geothermal projects in the region. Although the HiTech AlkCarb team had been
me<culous to apply mining-related best-prac<ce to public and official interac<ons, they had
not realised the depth of feeling and loss of trust caused by the geothermal projects – in
effect, the social licence for minerals explora<on drilling had been lost, and could not be
regained during this project. The lesson here for expansion of mining or geothermal energy
in Europe is clear – that in terms of social licence, the implica<ons of past and present
geology-related projects must be considered together. The public does not discriminate and
neither can industry, regional authori<es nor na<onal and interna<onal legislators.European Commissio
