Mineral tax

Mineral tax compensates the province for the commercial use and depletion of coal and mineral resources. In some cases, the tax revenue is shared with First Nation communities that have a revenue sharing agreement with the province.

Mine operators in B.C. must self-assess and pay mineral tax unless they qualify for an exemption or have only removed non-taxable resources.

Find out how to file and pay your mineral taxes for:

• Coal and other mineral mines
• Placer gold mines
• Quarries

If you own freehold mineral rights, you’ll also need to pay mineral land tax each year.

Taxable resources

The following is a list of taxable resources that are likely to be mined. This is not a complete list. If you cannot find the resource you’re looking for, contact us to determine if it’s taxable.

Non-taxable resources

The following materials are not taxable:

• Earth
• Gravel
• Marl
• Peat
• Sand
• Soil

Rock, riprap and stone products are also non-taxable if they're used in the building or maintenance of a road or structure located on land outside the mineral title or group of titles from which they were mined.