The report states that South Africa has a pivotal role in global mining, and it sets out a framework for the future sustainability of the local industry. "In recent years, the South African mining industry has had a declining contribution to the country's gross domestic product (GDP), which has led commentators to ask whether the industry is now in a 'sunrise or sunset' stage This is on the back of declining production, lagging cost competitiveness, low levels of exploration spend, labour unrest, policy uncertainty and reputation scepticism with regards to the industry's readiness for a greener world," according to the report.