Royalties for mining and resources

Mineral royalty rates

Depending on the mineral, the royalty rate payable under the Mineral Resources Regulation 2013 is either a percentage of the value of the mineral or a flat rate per tonne.

The current royalty rates are listed below. For any mineral not listed below (that is, a mineral for which there is no specified rate in the Mineral Resources Regulation), the rate is 2.5% of the value and the royalty-free threshold applies.

The value of a mineral (other than coal seam gas) is calculated by determining the gross value of the mineral and deducting certain permitted expenses.

Royalty for coal seam gas is calculated in the same way as petroleum royalty.

Select from the mineral types below to see the rate that applies and related information.

Base and precious metals

This includes:

  • cobalt
  • copper
  • gold
  • lead
  • nickel
  • silver
  • zinc.

Rate

Variable rate between 2.50% and 5.00% (varying in 0.02% increments) of value, depending on average metal prices

Comments

Rate for each return period is published in the Quarterly and annual metal prices and variable rates

Processing discount applies (except gold and silver)

Royalty-free threshold applies

References

Royalty ruling MRA002 - Determination of royalty for prescribed and specified minerals

Schedule 3, ss. 1-2 of the Mineral Resources Regulation 2013

Quarterly and annual metal prices and variable rates

Royalty calculations for prescribed and specified minerals

Prescribed minerals - guide for OSRconnect

Bauxite

Rate

  • Mined for consumption outside Queensland - the higher of 10% of the value of the bauxite or $2.00 per tonne
  • Mined for consumption within Queensland, where bauxite mined for consumption outside Queensland was also sold, disposed of or used during the return period (relevant bauxite) - the higher of 75% of the calculated rate per tonne for relevant bauxite or $1.50 per tonne
  • Mined for consumption within Queensland, where no bauxite mined for consumption outside Queensland was sold, disposed of or used during the return period - $1.50 per tonne

References

Royalty ruling MRA003 - Determination of royalty for certain minerals

Schedule 3, s. 4 of the Mineral Resources Regulation 2013

Bauxite - guide for OSRconnect

Coal

Rate

Average price per tonne for period

  • Up to and including $100 - 7% of value
  • Over $100 and up to and including $150
    • First $100 - 7% of value
    • Balance - 12.5% of value
  • More than $150
    • First $100 - 7% of value
    • Next $50 - 12.5% of value
    • Balance - 15% of value

Comments

Rate to be calculated separately for domestic (sold or disposed of for consumption, or used, within Queensland) and non-domestic coal

References

Royalty ruling MRA001 - Determination of coal royalty

Schedule 3, s. 5 of the Mineral Resources Regulation 2013

Coal - guide for OSRconnect

Corundum, gemstones and other precious stones

Iron ore

Rate

  • Where average price per tonne is $100 or less - $1.25 per tonne
  • Where average price per tonne is more than $100
    • First $100 - 1.25% of value
    • Balance - 2.5% of value

Comments

Processing discount applies

References

Royalty ruling MRA002 - Determination of royalty for prescribed and specified minerals

Schedule 3, s. 12 of the Mineral Resources Regulation 2013

Royalty calculations for prescribed and specified minerals

Iron ore - guide for OSRconnect

Manganese, molybdenum, rare earths, tantalum and tungsten

Mineral sands

This includes:

  • anatase
  • ilmenite
  • leucoxene
  • monazite
  • rutile
  • zircon.

Rate

5% of value

References

Royalty ruling MRA003 - Determination of royalty for certain minerals

Schedule 3, s. 9 of the Mineral Resources Regulation 2013

Mineral sands - guide for OSRconnect

Particular minerals

Mineral Rate (per tonne)
Bentonite $1.80
Calcite $1.00
Clay shale $0.50
Clay used for fired clay products $0.50
Diatomite $1.50
Dolomote $1.00
Feldspar $0.75
Gypsum $0.50
Kaolin $1.00
Lime, earth $0.50
Limestone $0.75
Magnesite $1.50
Marble $1.00
Mica $1.50
Perlite $1.00
Rock mined in block or slab form for building or monumental purposes $1.00
Salt $1.50
Sand, gravel and rock $0.50
Silica $0.90
Wollastonite $0.75
References

Royalty ruling MRA003 - Determination of royalty for certain minerals

Schedule 3, s. 3 of the Mineral Resources Regulation 2013

Particular minerals - guide for OSRconnect

Phosphate rock

Rate

The higher of $0.80 per tonne or the amount determined by the formula contained in Schedule 3, s. 10(1)(b) of the Mineral Resources Regulation 2013.

References

Royalty ruling MRA003 - Determination of royalty for certain minerals

Schedule 3, s. 10 of the Mineral Resources Regulation 2013

Phosphate rock - guide for OSRconnect

Processed oil shale

Rate

The lesser of 10% or the percentage of the value of the oil processed from the oil shale determined by the formula contained in Schedule 3, s. 11(2) of the Mineral Resources Regulation 2013

References

Royalty ruling MRA003 - Determination of royalty for certain minerals

Schedule 3, s. 11 of the Mineral Resources Regulation 2013

Processed oil shale - guide for OSRconnect

Uranium

Rate

Average price per kilogram for period

  • Up to and including $220 - 5% of value
  • More than $220
    • First $220 - 5% of value
    • Balance - 10% of value

Comments

Royalty-free threshold applies

References

Schedule 3, s. 13 of the Mineral Resources Regulation 2013

Also consider...

  • Last reviewed: 01 Jul 2019
  • Last updated: 01 Jul 2019

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