Credit card companies charge 1-2% of revenues. VC and hedge funds also charge management fees in that ballpark. I would say 1-2% of profits after deducting all

Credit card companies charge 1-2% of revenues. VC and hedge funds also charge management fees in that ballpark. I would say 1-2% of profits after deducting all operating and capital expenses is a good royalty figure. In most countries, all mineral rights lie with the govt (I agree with this principle, btw). In the US, most mineral rights belong to the lucky owner of the land. AFAIK in the Exxon case, the state of Alabama owned the land whose mineral had been leased to Exxon. It was proved that Exxon was systematically underpaying the state for agreed-upon royalties.