The Platinum Sector Peace and Stability Accord: Solution or Reprieve?

The research paper evaluates the Platinum Sector Peace and Stability Accord, arguing that while it provides a framework to manage conflict and prevent violence at South African platinum mines, it cannot resolve the broader socio-economic and market crises facing the industry.

• The Platinum Sector Peace and Stability Accord aims to prevent the return of violence at South African platinum mines by committing signatories to denounce intimidation and respect for life and property, specifically forbidding weapons on mining property.
• The current 'winner-takes-all' legislative framework for union recognition, where only the majority union bargains collectively, is cited as a significant contributor to conflict, particularly as the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) gains popularity over the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).
• The platinum industry faces severe economic pressures, including stagnant demand due to poor growth prospects in the European Union, market oversupply from recycling and previous investment, and rising input costs, with electricity prices increasing by 238% since 2007.
• Significant job losses are threatened in the sector; Anglo Platinum is considering a restructuring process that could affect up to 14,000 jobs, which may set a precedent for other platinum producers to follow.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2013). The Platinum Sector Peace and Stability Accord: Solution or Reprieve? https://saiia.org.za/research/the-platinum-sector-peace-and-stability-accord-solution-or-reprieve/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. The Platinum Sector Peace and Stability Accord: Solution or Reprieve? 2013. https://saiia.org.za/research/the-platinum-sector-peace-and-stability-accord-solution-or-reprieve/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=The Platinum Sector Peace and Stability Accord: Solution or Reprieve? |date=26 February 2013 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/the-platinum-sector-peace-and-stability-accord-solution-or-reprieve/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2013platinum, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{The Platinum Sector Peace and Stability Accord: Solution or Reprieve?}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2013}, month = feb, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/the-platinum-sector-peace-and-stability-accord-solution-or-reprieve/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }