The latest edition of the Australian Coal Report notes that a ‘‘growing tidal wave of grassroots people power’’ was stifling exploration and mine development across Australia.

‘‘Collectively from the time when you begin to invest until the time you have your product onto the market is taking quite a bit longer. Not just a year or two longer but five or even 10 years longer and we may see some resources not being developed at all,’’ the article says.

NSW Minerals Councils chief executive officer Dr Nikki Williams agreed that increasing activism was having a major impact on the industry.

She said it was essential to differentiate between ‘‘anti-corporate’’, or ideologically driven opposition, and genuine community concern.

‘‘We absolutely acknowledge there are genuine community concerns about the impacts of mining. We also agree that the industry needs to change,’’ she said. ‘‘Our aim is to work with communities through initiatives such as the Upper Hunter Mining Dialogue.’’

Rising Tide has organised several high-profile anti-mining protests in the Hunter since 2004.

‘‘Since then the opposition has grown across Australia to incorporate tens of thousands of groups and people opposing the expansion of these industries,’’ spokesman Steve Denshire said.

A spokesman for Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham dismissed the suggestion that ideology was driving increasing levels of community activism.

‘‘To put this down as a green conspiracy shows the lack of regard the coal industry has for the people that live within coal communities,’’ he said.

‘‘Farming families and other local industries have been pushed out by mining.’’