Another example, also a phosphate project, is the search by Phosphate Australia (POZ) for financing partners to help develop the Highland Plains deposit in the Northern Territory.
Every discussion with potential Asian partners includes questions about the tax.
It is important to stress that the issue is not derailing the discussions; it just complicates them.
POZ believes it can work its way through the tax issue with these potential sources of money and that a deal will eventually be done.
But there is no doubt this super-tax issue (the very nature of its uncertainty as to how it will work, or whether it can work) is affecting all levels of the mining sector.
Meanwhile, POZ has found new areas of iron ore on its Northern Territory ground.
The former BHP drilled there in the 1960s, but POZ now believes the mineralisation extends for more than 60km.
The company does not want to get distracted, so would be looking for someone else to take over the iron ore side.
There would be synergies.
POZ is planning a pipeline to move phosphate to the coast; and the iron ore could be transported in slurry form, too
