The list includes Anglo American, Aquila Resources, BHP Billiton, Macarthur Coal, Rio Tinto, Vale, and Xstrata.

FORBES: Australian Floods Cause Drought in the Coal Market

However, the prospect of the mining tax was this week blamed for the end of a takeover bid for Macarthur Coal.

BBC: Australian miner Fortescue in tax plan threat

At the weekend, the group said it had raised its stake in Australia's Macarthur Coal, which supplies steel mills with more than a third of the world's pulverised coal, to 19.9% from 14.9%.

BBC: Rio shares up on bid speculation