June 24 (Reuters) – Australian iron ore miner Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest on Thursday welcomed overtures by Australia’s new prime minister Julia Gillard to negotiate over a proposed new mining tax.
Basic Materials
Forrest, chief executive of Fortescue Metals Group (FMG.AX), has been at the centre of attacks on a tax that he described as a veiled act of nationalisation of Australia’s mining sector by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
“Ms Gillard and her new government have realised that government policy is best effected through open and honest consultations with the Australian people and industry,” Forrest said in a statement. (Reporting by James Regan; Editing by Ed Davies)