The Politics of Extractive Industry Governance in Post-Apartheid South Africa: A Case Study of Platinum Group Metals

This paper examines how political changes affect the management of extractive resources in South Africa. It does this by utilising the "Political Settlement" framework, which considers the roles of politics, power, and institutions in shaping economic and development outcomes. This article applies this approach to South Africa's political settlement in post-Apartheid South Africa, examining political and economic interests that have impacted the governance of the extractive industry, using the platinum group metals (PGMs) mining sector as a case study. It argues that political and economic elites' interests have influenced the governance of the extractive industry and the potential for inclusive development, with significant consequences for poor black South Africans. Consequently, South Africa's political settlement has contributed to the marginalisation of mining communities. The findings show that politics shapes the governance of the extractive industry in South Africa and that the country's stability is inextricably linked to the governance of its extractive mineral resources.