Federal Industry and Science Minister Ian Macfarlane says there is "a war of ideology" between mining supporters and environmentalists.

Mr Macfarlane made the comment while addressing some of the leading figures of the mining industry who were in Canberra for Minerals Week staged by the Minerals Council of Australia.

In his prepared speech the Minister stated that iron ore and coal would continue to be a "vital export for Australia".

He later added: "We need to promote this industry. We need to push back regularly against those from the environmental (sic) who wish to bring this industry down. It is becoming a war of ideology.

"They have an ideological opposition to what we do to make this nation great. We should never step back."

The Minister listed removing the mining and carbon taxes as reform achievements aimed at "focussing on and building our competiveness".

"It's up to business and the research community to now run with it together and can I assure you that our government is at your side while you do that," Mr Macfarlane said.

The Minister's backing for the industry follows the Government opposing an inquiry into iron ore mining proposed by Fortescue boss Andrew Forrest.

Mr Forrest targeted Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton when arguing that over production of iron ore by the big two companies was causing a glut and a price drop.

BHP CEO Andrew Mackenzie told the gathering that it was unprofitable to store or cut low grade ore.

He pointed out that commodities, having fallen from the recent price highs, were now at more sustainable levels.