Rebuilding Trust Through Sustainable Territorial Development: A Policy and Innovation Agenda for the Future of Mining *A. Gallegos, Escuela de Postgrado GĚRENS, Lima, Peru (*Presenting author: agallegos@gerens.pe) Abstract The global energy transition is driving an unprecedented surge in demand for minerals, but collides with deep trust deficits between mining companies, governments, and local communities. Social acceptance is a key bottleneck for mining. Extractive activities have demonstrably improved development outcomes in many countries; in Peru, it has contributed to rising HDI scores, falling poverty and declines in income inequality. Weak institutions, limited state presence in mining territories, corruption, lack of a territorial development vision and stakeholder conflicts are structural barriers that undermine trust and block progress. However, corporate cases such as Cerro Verde - Freeport McMoran, Antamina, Anglo American Quellaveco and San Rafael-Minsur in Peru, Los Pelambres-Antofagasta Minerals and SQM Lithium in Chile, and Carajás-Vale in Brazil demonstrate that such problems can be overcome. Public policy cases like RIMAY (Peru) and the Chilean mining institutional framework -Alianza Valor Minero and Alta Ley- show that it is possible to institutionalize multi-stakeholder territorial mining governance. Cases such as Quellaveco show that negotiated water agreements, participatory monitoring, and institutional innovations can secure broad social acceptance. This paper proposes a Policy and Innovation Roadmap aimed at transforming mining regions into Smart Territories, using the Territorial Development – Sustainable Balanced Scorecard (TD-SBSC) model as an integrative framework for dialogue, investment prioritization, and performance management. The proposal is illustrated in a matrix, which includes all cases, criteria, and its three components. The first element, AI-enabled territorial diagnostic platforms strengthen public decision-making by making mining impacts visible, identifying key development “enablers”, and improving strategic resource allocation. Second, digital twin models of mining territories can facilitate transparent scenario planning and participatory governance among communities, companies, and different levels of government. Third, multi-stakeholder governance coalitions anchored in shared development territorial visions are essential to institutionalize trust and policy continuity. The results reveal gaps. Anglo American Quellaveco stands out as the most advanced. By integrating technology, innovation, and inclusive governance, this approach proposes both, a new agenda for mining companies and a policy pathway to rebuild trust and align mining with long-term territorial development. 130
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