The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies, which represents small and medium-sized miners, is planning to relaunch an advertising blitz against the 30 per cent minerals resource rent tax.

The MRRT, a modification of Rudd's original 40 per cent resource super profits tax, is the outcome of a deal between the Gillard government and Australia's top three miners, BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Xstrata.

Fortescue Metals boss Andrew Forrest said the revamped resource tax will negatively affect the long-term growth of miners.

"It was a small tax in the context of the Australian economy but a huge tax for the sector", he said.

"After 18 years of doing it rough we have had three years in the sun - bang, whack them with a new tax," he told Sky News.

"Does that mean any industry which has a couple of years in the sun can also look forward to a huge new tax? It's not the way to run a country."

Ms Gillard is today taking Labor's campaign to Perth where many voters rely on the mining sector for employment.

Mr Forrest said the MRRT twisted the playing field to the advantage of the major companies.

"One per cent of all the companies affected got into a closed-door meeting and hatched this new tax," he said.