❓ Mr. Johnston requested a breakdown of coal royalties paid in WA for 2010-2014, differentiated by domestic use and export. The Department of Mines and Petroleum declined to provide specific figures due to commercial sensitivity, citing regulations and the small number of operating companies.
AnsweredQoN 3182Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
For each of the years 2010–2011, 2011–2012, 2012–2013, and 2013–2014, what was the amount of royalties paid in respect of: (a) coal mined and used in Western Australia; and (b) coal mined and exported from Western Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
17 February 2015
Responded by
Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
98 days
The Department of Mines and Petroleum advises:
(a) - (b)
While the Western Australian Government publishes as much information as possible, there are instances where information is commercially sensitive and is therefore not released.
This approach complies with the Mining Regulations 1981 regulation 95A(2), which states '
Mining statistics are to be compiled in such a way that, so far as is practicable, information in respect of a particular person or mining operation cannot be ascertained.
In the case of coal, there are only two companies operating in this State and the release of royalty information can result in confidential information of the individual companies being disclosed.
On this basis the Department of Mines and Petroleum's Statistics Digest, which provides key statistical information and analysis on the Western Australian resource sector, only includes total
annual volumes and values for coal produced in Western Australia.
The Statistics Digest is available at
www.dmp.wa.gov.au
.
Most coal royalties are received from domestic sales that have a royalty rate of $1 per tonne.
This rate was set in 1981 and is escalated annually based on the average ex-mine value of Collie coal.
As the escalation is based on actual information for the two companies that produce and sell coal in WA, the royalty rate and the royalties paid are commercially sensitive.
In relation to exported coal, a royalty rate of 7.5 per cent applies.
Currently, only Griffin Coal exports coal from Western Australia.
Export volumes and royalties are therefore commercially sensitive.
(a) - (b)
While the Western Australian Government publishes as much information as possible, there are instances where information is commercially sensitive and is therefore not released.
This approach complies with the Mining Regulations 1981 regulation 95A(2), which states '
Mining statistics are to be compiled in such a way that, so far as is practicable, information in respect of a particular person or mining operation cannot be ascertained.
In the case of coal, there are only two companies operating in this State and the release of royalty information can result in confidential information of the individual companies being disclosed.
On this basis the Department of Mines and Petroleum's Statistics Digest, which provides key statistical information and analysis on the Western Australian resource sector, only includes total
annual volumes and values for coal produced in Western Australia.
The Statistics Digest is available at
www.dmp.wa.gov.au
.
Most coal royalties are received from domestic sales that have a royalty rate of $1 per tonne.
This rate was set in 1981 and is escalated annually based on the average ex-mine value of Collie coal.
As the escalation is based on actual information for the two companies that produce and sell coal in WA, the royalty rate and the royalties paid are commercially sensitive.
In relation to exported coal, a royalty rate of 7.5 per cent applies.
Currently, only Griffin Coal exports coal from Western Australia.
Export volumes and royalties are therefore commercially sensitive.
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