THE mining industry says it recommenced hostilities with the government because Labor is preparing fresh tax hikes that will undermine its competitiveness.

Minerals Council of Australia chief Mitch Hooke said the industry's pre-emptive strike against possible tax rises was a "tough call'', given its previous commitment to suspend hostilities with Labor.

But he said the industry was reacting to a well-grounded fear that it was about to be hit with tax rises in the upcoming May budget.

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There is growing speculation the government will cut the diesel fuel rebate, accelerated depreciation and exploration concessions for miners.

Mr Hooke said the industry's suspicions were fueled by Treasurer Wayne Swan's "infamous'' claims that the sector wasn't paying its fair share.

"This is exactly the kind of atmosphere that we were in before the super profits tax was announced in May 2010 -- softening up the public, creating the perception that we are not paying our way, and therefore rendering us an easy hit for new taxes under the budget,'' Mr Hooke told ABC radio.

"And it's not in anybody's interest to be weighing down your front runners to the point that our international competitors race past us.''

In national newspaper advertisements launched today, the Minerals Council declares the mining industry has paid its fair share of tax and is "not a bottomless pit'' for continual tax increases.

The resumption of its 'Keep Mining Strong' campaign - limited at this stage to print advertising - breaks the truce negotiated with miners by Julia Gillard in mid-2010 after she ousted Kevin Rudd.

Since that agreement was struck, the mining tax has passed the House of Representatives the carbon tax has been legislated.

"That's my point,' Mr Hooke said. "We now have a new minerals resource rent tax. There is a carbon tax coming.

"There has been a 500 per cent increase in the amount of taxes and royalties we're paying.

"We are the ones who are wearing the accusations that we are not paying our way, and yet last year alone we paid taxes and royalties that were more than entire defence budget of $22 billion -- we paid $24 billion.''