Rio Tinto chief executive Tom Albanese said on Thursday that lingering uncertainties may continue to hound further growth of the resource industry but he assured that despite the hurdles, the sector's long-term prospect remains strong.

Mr Albanese admitted that the worldwide economic downturn, the controversial mining tax and climate change concerns were proving to be substantial distractions for the mining sector but he is optimistic that the industry would be able to get through and continue its path for further expansions.

In a speech before the Australian Institute of Company Directors held in Brisbane, the Rio Tinto head conceded that that "uncertainties do cloud the sector's short-term horizon such as the implications of continuing global economic instability, resource rents and climate change."

However, Mr Albanese is firm on his belief that in the presence of helpful policies from the federal government and the appropriate measures to be adopted by the business community at this time, then "the potential for long term growth remains strong."

He stressed that as shown by the recent developments over the revised mining tax proposals, "these decisions must be made in close partnership between industry and stakeholders, most particularly policy makers."