Mineral royalty rates
The royalty rate is either a percentage of the value of the mineral or a flat rate per tonne. Find the rates that apply to various minerals.
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.
For some commodities, different rates apply depending on whether or not the commodity is consumed within Queensland.
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.
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 |
| 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 |
| Rate | Average price per tonne for coal sold, disposed of or used to 30 June 2022
Average price per tonne for coal sold, disposed of or used from 1 July 2022
|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Rate | Average price per kilogram for period
|
| Comments | Royalty-free threshold applies |
| References | Schedule 3, s. 13 of the Mineral Resources Regulation 2013 |