15-38-104. Tax on mineral production. (1) Except as provided in 15-38-113 and subsections (2) through (5) of this section, the annual tax to be paid by a person engaged in or carrying on the business of mining, extracting, or producing a mineral is $25, plus an additional amount computed on the gross value of product that was derived from the business work or operation within this state during the calendar year immediately preceding at the rate of 1/2 of 1% of the amount of gross value of product at the time of extraction from the ground, if in excess of $5,000. Unless otherwise provided in a contract or lease, the pro rata share of any royalty owner or owners may be deducted from any settlements under the lease or leases or division of proceeds orders or other contracts.

(2) The annual tax to be paid by a person engaged in or carrying on the business of mining, extracting, or producing:

(a) talc is $25 plus an additional amount computed on the gross value of product for talc derived from the business work or operation within this state during the calendar year immediately preceding at the rate of 4% of the gross value of product in excess of $625; and

(b) coal is $25 plus an additional amount computed on the gross value of product for coal produced in Montana during the calendar year immediately preceding at the rate of 0.4% of the gross value of product in excess of $6,250.

(3) The annual tax to be paid by a person engaged in or carrying on the business of mining, extracting, or producing vermiculite is $25 plus an additional amount computed on the gross value of product for vermiculite derived from the business work or operation within this state during the calendar year immediately preceding at the rate of 2% of the gross value of product in excess of $1,250.

(4) The annual tax to be paid by a person engaged in or carrying on the business of mining, extracting, or producing limestone for the production of quicklime is $25 plus an additional amount computed on the gross value of product for limestone derived from the business work or operation within this state during the calendar year immediately preceding at the rate of 10% of the gross value of product in excess of $250.

(5) The annual tax to be paid by a person engaged in or carrying on the business of mining, extracting, or producing industrial garnets and associated byproducts is $25 plus an additional amount computed on the gross value of product for industrial garnets and associated byproducts derived from the business work or operation within this state during the calendar year immediately preceding at the rate of 1% on the gross value of product in excess of $2,500.