(a) Imposition of tax. -- For the privilege of engaging or continuing within this state in the business of severing, extracting, reducing to possession and producing for sale, profit or commercial use any other natural resource product or product not taxed under section three, three-a, three-b or four of this article, there is hereby levied and shall be collected from every person exercising this privilege an annual privilege tax.
(b) Rate and measure of tax. -- The tax imposed in subsection (a) of this section shall be four percent of the gross value of the natural resource produced, as shown by the gross proceeds derived from the sale thereof by producer, except as otherwise provided in this article: Provided, That beginning the first day of July, one thousand nine hundred ninety-three, the tax imposed by this section shall be levied and collected at the rate of four and one-half percent, and beginning the first day of July, one thousand nine hundred ninety-four, the tax imposed by this section shall be levied and collected at the rate of five percent.
(c) Tax in addition to other taxes. -- The tax imposed by this section shall apply to all persons severing other natural resources in this state, and shall be in addition to all other taxes imposed by law.
(d) Effective date. -- This section, as amended in the year one thousand nine hundred ninety-three, shall apply to grossproceeds derived after the thirty-first day of May of such year. The language of section three of this article, as in effect on the first day of January of such year, shall apply to gross proceeds derived prior to the first day of June of such year and, with respect to such gross proceeds, shall be fully and completely preserved.