Mining tax passes the Senate

The Gillard government's $11 billion mining tax has cleared its final hurdle and passed the Senate.

The Minerals Resource Rent Tax legislation, which will impose a 30 per cent tax on the extraordinary profits of coal and iron ore miners, passed on Monday night 38 votes to 32.

The opposition unsuccessfully tried to suspend standing orders to delay the vote twice.

Labor's initial proposal to introduce a 40 per cent mining tax in May 2010 attracted a bruising public relations war from the mining industry and contributed to the downfall of former prime minister Kevin Rudd.

The Gillard government renegotiated its plans with a handful of big miners, however, some smaller mining companies are still upset.

The mining tax will operate from July 1, 2012.