An international survey of mining companies shows that despite talk of a mining tax, Australia continues to be a desirable investment destination.

Canada's Fraser Institute has found that the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland are increasingly attractive to mining companies.

The Fraser Institute surveyed hundreds of mining-related companies around the world.

Its Policy Potential Index measures the response to regulations, approvals processes and taxation regimes.

Its latest report shows the Northern Territory and Western Australia as the 11th and 12th most attractive jurisdictions, with an equal score of 81.5 out 100.

The Greens say it is proof the Mining Resources Rent Tax (MRRT) will not drive investment away from Australia, but the West Australian government says Australia should be even higher up the list.

WA Mines Minister Norman Moore says Australia may be near the top of international lists but it is still falling behind other countries.

"When you read the commentary in the (Fraser Institute) report, the negative that we get in Australia is in relation to federal taxes," he said.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Listen Duration: 3 minutes 48 seconds 3 m 48 s Listen to WA Mines minister Norman Moore Download 1.7 MB

But Greens senator Scott Ludlam says the MRRT is not affecting Australia's international standing.

"I think what we really see from listing so high in this particular survey is that the campaigns the mining industry have been running against dealing with climate change and against the mining tax are basically fraudulent. Polling is showing that people don't believe them anymore," he said.

Senator Ludlam says Australia should work on trying to arrest the mining boom.

"I don't think we can afford any longer to imagine as the Barnett Government does, that extractive industries and ever larger holes in the ground are going to see us through the next few decades," he said.

"So I think for Mr Moore to say we should open the doors even wider, is completely inappropriate.

"We need to take a look at how to cool the mining boom, so that we don't do further harm to the rest of the economy."

Senator Ludlam says the Greens will be seeking to amend the legislation for the MRRT to try to bring it closer to the original mining tax concept.