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 | Public ruling MRA002 – Determination of royalty for prescribed and specified minerals 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 |
Bauxite
Rate |
|
References | Public ruling MRA003 – Determination of royalty for certain minerals Royalty ruling MRA003 – Determination of royalty for certain minerals Schedule 3, s. 4 of the Mineral Resources Regulation 2013 |
Coal
Rate | Average price per tonne for period
|
Comments | Rate to be calculated separately for domestic (sold or disposed of for consumption, or used, within Queensland) and non-domestic coal |
References | Public ruling MRA001 – Determination of coal royalty Royalty ruling MRA001 – Determination of coal royalty Schedule 3, s. 5 of the Mineral Resources Regulation 2013 |
Corundum, gemstones and other precious stones
Rate | 2.5% of value |
Comments | Royalty-free threshold applies |
References | Public ruling MRA003 – Determination of royalty for certain minerals Royalty ruling MRA003 – Determination of royalty for certain minerals Schedule 3, s. 6 of the Mineral Resources Regulation 2013 |
Iron ore
Rate |
|
Comments | Processing discount applies |
References | Public ruling MRA002 – Determination of royalty for prescribed and specified minerals Royalty ruling MRA002 – Determination of royalty for prescribed and specified minerals Schedule 3, s. 12 of the Mineral Resources Regulation 2013 |
Manganese, molybdenum, rare earths, tantalum and tungsten
Rate | 2.7% of value |
Comments | Processing discount applies (except rare earths) Royalty-free threshold applies |
References | Public ruling MRA002 – Determination of royalty for prescribed and specified minerals (for manganese, molybdenum, tantalum and tungsten) Royalty ruling MRA002 – Determination of royalty for prescribed and specified minerals (for manganese, molybdenum, tantalum and tungsten) Public ruling MRA003 – Determination of royalty for certain minerals (for rare earths) Royalty ruling MRA003 – Determination of royalty for certain minerals (for rare earths) Schedule 3, s. 8 of the Mineral Resources Regulation 2013 |
Mineral sands
This includes:
- anatase
- ilmenite
- leucoxene
- monazite
- rutile
- zircon.
Rate | 5% of value |
References | Public ruling MRA003 – Determination of royalty for certain minerals Royalty ruling MRA003 – Determination of royalty for certain minerals Schedule 3, s. 9 of the Mineral Resources Regulation 2013 |
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 |
| Dolomite | $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 |
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 | Public ruling MRA003 – Determination of royalty for certain minerals Royalty ruling MRA003 – Determination of royalty for certain minerals Schedule 3, s. 10 of the Mineral Resources Regulation 2013 |
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 | Public ruling MRA003 – Determination of royalty for certain minerals Royalty ruling MRA003 – Determination of royalty for certain minerals Schedule 3, s. 11 of the Mineral Resources Regulation 2013 |
Uranium
Rate | Average price per kilogram for period
|
Comments | Royalty-free threshold applies |
References | Schedule 3, s. 13 of the Mineral Resources Regulation 2013 |
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- Last reviewed: 1 Oct 2020
- Last updated: 30 Nov 2020
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