The short respite won by Prime Minister Julia Gillard's intervention and negotiations with heads of the mining majors seems to be over with a new anti-tax campaign about to commence.
The Association for Mining and Exploration Companies or AMEC is set to fight for the small iron ore miners who will likely lose out under the terms of the new Minerals Resource Rent Tax (MRRT).
As per Wayne Swan, the Federal Treasurer, the new campaign against the mining tax is politically motivated. The AMEC Chief Executive Simon Bennison said that a new advertising campaign against the MRRT would soon be launched. Mr Andrew Forrest of Fortescue Metals has lent its monetary support to the AMEC.
A spokesman for Mr. Forrest also mentioned that any initiatives of the Queensland Chamber of Commerce and Industry to fight the tax will also be supported. QCCI president David Goodwin said the MRRT had already dampened activity in the mining sector and among companies providing services to that industry.