COALspot.com keeps you connected across the coal world

Submit Your Articles
We welcome article submissions from experts in the areas of coal, mining, shipping, etc.

To Submit your article please click here.

International Energy Events


Search News
Latest CoalNews Headlines
Monday, 05 September 11
INDONESIAN COAL BENCHMARK PRICE - ANALYSIS


Analyst : Sunil K Kumbhat
COALspot.com - As a part of the Government’s efforts to stop transfer pricing abuses which have resulted in the loss of production royalties in recent years Govt of Indonesia issued  Regulation No.17 of 2010 entitled "Procedures to Determine the Benchmark Price for Mineral and Coal Sales" .

Apart from  setting out the procedures to determine the benchmark price for the sale of coal and minerals, Regulation  imposes other obligations on mineral and coal producers (that is, the holders of Production Operation IUPs and IUPKs) when making sales.This move has been seen as important as the benchmark Coal price is expected to provide optimum price and help goverment in calculating potential State Revenue. The new regulations will allow the Indonesian government to get the right amount of royalty , and the taxable revenues from the sector will also move up to the correct levels. It will also stop the practice of transfer pricing. The government has put in a strong framework.

The following are some key points highlights the provisions of regulation  and the likely impact it will have on mine owners, including on their sales activities, royalty calculations and administrative obligations:

Obligation to follow benchmark price
Regulation  provides that mineral and coal producers are obliged to sell minerals and coal based on a regulated benchmark price, whether for domestic or export sales.

The benchmark pricing obligation applies to all minerals and coal sales to third parties, including to any affiliate of the mineral and coal producer (which includes any party that has direct ownership in the holder of a Production Operation IUP or a Production Operation IUPK as well as any party that may indirectly influence the decision-making of such holders).

Determination of benchmark price
Regulation  provides that the benchmark price for  minerals and coal will be determined by the Director General of Minerals and Coal (DGMC) .  The benchmark price for non-metallic minerals and rocks will be determined by either the Governor or the Regent/Mayor, as appropriate.

Different methods will be used to determine the benchmark price for different commodities. For metallic minerals, the DGMC will determine the benchmark price for each metallic mineral monthly using a formula that refers to international market prices. For coal, the DGMC will determine separate benchmark prices for metallurgical coal, thermal coal and low rank coal monthly.No formal definition of low rank coal exists , however in the past ;MEMR has referred to low rank coal as any coal with  gross calorific value( ADB Basis) of less than 5100 kca/kg. The benchmark price for metallurgical and thermal coal will use a formula that refers to the average coal prices based on local and international market indices.As a system  government will determine Coal Price Reference (Harga Batubara Acuan or HPA) by averaging the calorie value of coal in four coal price indexes, namely :

1.Newcastle Coal Index,
2.Global Coal Index,
3.Platts and
4.Indonesia Coal Index (ICI).


The first two indexes represented international price, while the last two indexes represent local coal prices. Each coal category has a weight of 25 percent.  The coal category will divided based on coal quality, which is set at 6,322 kcal/kg (arb), moisture content at 8 percent (arb), sulfur content of 0.8 percent (arb), and ash content at 15 percent (arb).

After determining the Coal Price Reference (HBA), the benchmark coal price (HPB) is then determined. There will be 8 benchmark prices category, representing the quality of the coal, starting from 4,200 up to 7,000 kcal/kg.

For that price of coal other than 8 classes of HPB, prices are determined by interpolation approaches or determining HPB based on a certain formula.

Sales of minerals and coal
The benchmark price is set on the basis of the price paid for Coal at the point of Sale by way of FOB Vessel. Sales of metals, ore, concentrate or other intermediary products can be made :

1.Free on Board (FOB) mother vessel or
2.FOB barge basis.
3.Sales can also be made to end users domestically or in the form of Cost Insurance Freight (CIF) or
4.Cost and Freight (C&F).


In calculating the sales price for FOB mother vessel sales for royalty payment purposes, holders of Production Operation IUPs for metallic minerals must refer to the benchmark price. For  sales that are not made FOB mother vessel basis (including FOB barge sales), the benchmark price may be adjusted by adding or subtracting an amount based on certain recognised costs approved by the DGMC.

While the principle of deducting certain costs from the benchmark price for the purpose of royalty calculations would appear to be reasonable, Regulation  leaves open the possibility that there may be costs that could adjust the benchmark price by being added to, rather than being subtracted from, the benchmark price. The circumstances under which costs would be added to the benchmark price are not yet regulated.

Adjustments can include costs incurred for barging, survey, trans-shipment, treatment as well as refinery and/or metal payable and/or insurance costs. For coal, sales are contemplated in the form of FOB mother vessel, FOB barge, within an island to an end user or on a CIF or CF basis. In calculating the sales price, holders of Production Operation IUPs for coal to be sold FOB mother vessel must refer to the benchmark price. Again, for non-FOB mother vessel sales (including FOB barge sales), certain costs may be added or subtracted as approved by the DGMC.

Under the new sales price regime for coal, the production royalty for FOB mother vessel sales will effectively also be imposed on barge transportation and trans-shipment costs (as well as survey and insurance costs), which are not able to be subtracted from the selling price.

Accordingly, all royalties for FOB mother vessel sales are now assessed on the full delivered cost FOB mother vessel without adjustment for costs. Regulation  provides that further details on the procedures to determine the amount of “adjustment costs” will be set out by the DGMC in a separate DGMC regulation.

Benchmark Price for calculation of royalties
For royalty calculations, regulation  provides that for minerals and coal sales made FOB mother vessel basis, the Government will take the higher of the contractually-agreed price or the benchmark price.  On the other hand, for non-FOB mother vessel sales such as mineral or coal sales by way of FOB barge, the production royalties will be calculated using:

• (a) the contracted sales price, if the contracted sales price is higher than the benchmark price, after adding or subtracting the adjustment amount (adjusted benchmark price); or
• (b) the adjusted benchmark price, if the sales price is the same as or lower than the adjusted benchmark price.

Post sales Reporting
Coal producers are required to submit post-sales reports on the sales of their mineral and coal commodities every month, together with supporting information including invoices and bills of lading,quality reports and barging Costs as well as export declarations and surveyor reports for exported commodities. This  new reporting obligations will add significant  administrative burdens to mining companies.

Sale of coal for certain purposes
Coal of certain types (including fine coal, reject coal and coal with certain impurities) for domestic use may be sold below the coal benchmark price, upon approval of the Govt (DGMC) which  will issue separate  regulations regarding what types of coal will fall within this exception.

Similarly, coal to be used for certain purposes in the domestic market may be sold below the coal benchmark price, upon approval of the Govt.

The Govt will issue further regulations on the purposes that will be exempted. Regulation  indicates that coal used for individual needs  or for the development of underdeveloped or poorly developed regions will be exempted from the benchmark pricing requirements.

Impact on existing coal and/or mineral sales contracts


All existing supply contracts ( Both Spot and term Contracts) with Indonesian mining firms will have to be brought in line with this new benchmark regulations by 22nd September 2011. Spot sale contracts must be adjusted by no later than six months after the effective date of Regulation No. 17 (that is, by 22 March 2011).

Term sales contracts must be adjusted by no later than 12 months after the effective date of Regulation No. 17 (that is, by 22 September 2011).

Sanctions
Regulation provides that the Government can impose a range of administrative penalties on mineral and coal producers who fail to comply with the provisions of Regulation.

Penalties range from written warnings, temporary suspension of sales, and ultimately, cancellation of the licences’. Due to the severity of such sanctions, mining companies will need to pay particular notice to the requirement of this new regulation.


Indian Impact
For India, the situation will be aggravated by stagnation in domestic production even as demand has increased. With up to 100,000 MW of capacity addition likely in the 12 th plan period starting next year, more coal-based projects may need to scout overseas for fuel.

Three to five years back, domestic coal production was able to keep pace with the demand from power producers. However in 2010, domestic production has remained at a flat level, while there has been a sudden increase in demand from Indian power companies.

With a substantial part of its imported coal requirement already coming from Indonesia, India’s appetite is expected to grow further. India's coal imports from Indonesia are rising every year. In 2010, it overtook Japan to become the second largest importer of Indonesian coal after China. It is expected that  India may become the biggest importer of Indonesian coal in 2012.

The regulation is likely to increase the price of coal mainly for all Indian Power  Projects  using imported coal from Indonesia. The impact on the tariff of such projects may vary, depending upon the quality of imported coal and fuel mix. All existing supply agreements with Indonesian mining firms will have to be brought in line with this new benchmark by 22nd September 2011. The implementation of this new regulation will adversely impact all existing and future Coal based power plants importing Coal from Indonesia.The new regulations will allow the Indonesian government to get the right amount of royalty , and the taxable revenues from the sector will also move up to the correct levels. It will also stop the practice of transfer pricing. The government has put in a strong framework.

Given the long-term demand fundamentals, current high coal price scenario may continue to squeeze margins (of Indian power producers). This may well be the end of the road for cheap Indonesian coal.

Conclusion
Whilst the intention behind the minimum pricing regulation is to stop transfer pricing abuses which according to Govt, have plagued the Indonesian mining industry( particularly the Coal mining Industry) over recent years, the question is whether this intention has been implemented in a way which is inconsistent with genuine , arms -length commercial practices which exist in the market. (updated on 5 Sept 2011)
Analyst By : Sunil K Kumbhat

The views and opinions / conclusion expressed on this analysis is purely the writers’ own



If you believe an article violates your rights or the rights of others, please contact us.

Recent News

Wednesday, 21 September 11
2ND ANNUAL SHALE GAS SUMMIT
2nd Annual Shale Gas Summit   31 October – 3 November 2011   JW Marriott Hotel, Hong Kong According to a recent EI ...


Tuesday, 20 September 11
MTD INAUGURATES ITS COAL TERMINAL IN JAVA ISLAND
Press Release – MTD Group of Malaysia, one of prominent key players in the development of infrastructure in Malaysia, today inaugurated their ...


Tuesday, 20 September 11
DRY BULK MARKET LOSING ITS EDGE, RETREATING AT THE START OF THE WEEK - NIKOS ROUSSANOGLOU, HELLENIC SHIPPING
After a surge during the past couple of weeks, which saw Capesize earnings boosted and the BDI (Baltic Dry Index) reaching levels of year high and c ...


Monday, 19 September 11
CHINA IMPORTS MORE THAN 10 MMT INDO COAL IN AUGUST 2011
COALspot.com - Indonesian coal exports dropped 1.642 million tons in August compared to July exports. Indonesia exports 29.662 million tons of coal ...


Monday, 19 September 11
INDOMOBIL ENTERING INTO COAL MINING BUSINESS
COALspot.Com- PT Indomobil Sukses Internasional Tbk, part of, one of Indonesia's largest  conglomerates, to enter into mining industry ac ...


   1013 1014 1015 1016 1017   
Showing 5071 to 5075 news of total 6871
News by Category
Popular News
 
Total Members : 28,696
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

  • AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
  • GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
  • Petrosea - Indonesia
  • Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
  • Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
  • Siam City Cement - Thailand
  • Goldman Sachs - Singapore
  • SUEK AG - Indonesia
  • Noble Europe Ltd - UK
  • Samsung - South Korea
  • International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
  • Coal and Oil Company - UAE
  • Fearnleys - India
  • Romanian Commodities Exchange
  • Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
  • Glencore India Pvt. Ltd
  • ETA - Dubai
  • Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
  • Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
  • Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
  • Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
  • Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
  • UBS Singapore
  • MS Steel International - UAE
  • Berau Coal - Indonesia
  • Central Java Power - Indonesia
  • Arch Coal - USA
  • Cosco
  • Arutmin Indonesia
  • Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
  • ANZ Bank - Australia
  • Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
  • Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
  • Indonesian Coal Mining Association
  • Chamber of Mines of South Africa
  • PLN Batubara - Indonesia
  • White Energy Company Limited
  • Bank of America
  • Bhatia International Limited - India
  • Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
  • Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
  • Heidelberg Cement - Germany
  • Sucofindo - Indonesia
  • Cargill India Pvt Ltd
  • Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
  • Baramulti Group, Indonesia
  • KOWEPO - South Korea
  • Singapore Mercantile Exchange
  • Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
  • IBC Asia (S) Pte Ltd
  • Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
  • World Bank
  • Thermax Limited - India
  • CNBM International Corporation - China
  • Star Paper Mills Limited - India
  • Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
  • Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
  • Agrawal Coal Company - India
  • Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
  • Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
  • Maersk Broker
  • Britmindo - Indonesia
  • Xindia Steels Limited - India
  • Cement Manufacturers Association - India
  • Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
  • Parry Sugars Refinery, India
  • Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
  • Adani Power Ltd - India
  • Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
  • TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
  • Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
  • Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
  • Bank of China, Malaysia
  • Minerals Council of Australia
  • McConnell Dowell - Australia
  • Planning Commission, India
  • DBS Bank - Singapore
  • Shenhua Group - China
  • Anglo American - United Kingdom
  • Thiess Contractors Indonesia
  • OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
  • Japan Coal Energy Center
  • TRAFIGURA, South Korea
  • Runge Indonesia
  • EMO - The Netherlands
  • Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
  • IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
  • Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
  • Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
  • Deloitte Consulting - India
  • Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
  • TANGEDCO India
  • Total Coal South Africa
  • Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
  • Tamil Nadu electricity Board
  • Interocean Group of Companies - India
  • Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
  • Peabody Energy - USA
  • IOL Indonesia
  • CESC Limited - India
  • Edison Trading Spa - Italy
  • APGENCO India
  • Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
  • Merrill Lynch Bank
  • Platts
  • Bhushan Steel Limited - India
  • CCIC - Indonesia
  • Thailand Anthracite
  • Eastern Energy - Thailand
  • PetroVietnam
  • Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
  • Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
  • Asian Development Bank
  • KPCL - India
  • Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
  • Independent Power Producers Association of India
  • Humpuss - Indonesia
  • KPMG - USA
  • Vale Mozambique
  • Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
  • The University of Queensland
  • Electricity Authority, New Zealand
  • McKinsey & Co - India
  • Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
  • U S Energy Resources
  • VISA Power Limited - India
  • Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
  • Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
  • Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
  • Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
  • Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
  • GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
  • Sical Logistics Limited - India
  • Inco-Indonesia
  • PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
  • Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
  • Latin American Coal - Colombia
  • Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
  • Parliament of New Zealand
  • Bangladesh Power Developement Board
  • J M Baxi & Co - India
  • GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
  • Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
  • Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
  • Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
  • Videocon Industries ltd - India
  • Bangkok Bank PCL
  • New Zealand Coal & Carbon
  • TNPL - India
  • CoalTek, United States
  • CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
  • Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
  • Eastern Coal Council - USA
  • NALCO India
  • UOB Asia (HK) Ltd
  • Australian Coal Association
  • SASOL - South Africa
  • Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
  • Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
  • Ernst & Young Pvt. Ltd.
  • Coal Orbis AG
  • Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
  • Mitsubishi Corporation
  • JPower - Japan
  • Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
  • Xstrata Coal
  • Vitol - Bahrain
  • MEC Coal - Indonesia
  • Central Electricity Authority - India
  • Adaro Indonesia
  • Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
  • Indorama - Singapore
  • Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
  • Jatenergy - Australia
  • Ministry of Transport, Egypt
  • Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
  • Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
  • Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
  • Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
  • Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
  • Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
  • BRS Brokers - Singapore
  • Credit Suisse - India
  • London Commodity Brokers - England
  • Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
  • PTC India Limited - India
  • SMG Consultants - Indonesia
  • Indian School of Mines
  • IMC Shipping - Singapore
  • Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
  • Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
  • Shree Cement - India
  • Marubeni Corporation - India
  • Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
  • Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
  • Thai Mozambique Logistica
  • Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
  • Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
  • Lafarge - France
  • Coeclerici Indonesia
  • IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
  • SGS (Thailand) Limited
  • Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
  • Mitra SK Pvt Ltd - India
  • The India Cements Ltd
  • Infraline Energy - India
  • Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
  • JPMorgan - India
  • Economic Council, Georgia
  • Qatrana Cement - Jordan
  • EIA - United States
  • GB Group - China
  • Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
  • ICICI Bank Limited - India
  • Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
  • Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
  • Dalmia Cement Bharat India
  • Mechel - Russia
  • Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
  • Carbofer General Trading SA - India
  • Cebu Energy, Philippines
  • India Bulls Power Limited - India
  • GMR Energy Limited - India
  • GHCL Limited - India
  • San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
  • Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
  • Deutsche Bank - India
  • TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
  • Permata Bank - Indonesia
  • World Coal - UK
  • Indian Energy Exchange, India
  • Malco - India
  • Ince & co LLP
  • ASAPP Information Group - India
  • Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
  • Energy Development Corp, Philippines
  • Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
  • Inspectorate - India
  • Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
  • Enel Italy
  • Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
  • Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
  • Cemex - Philippines
  • Idemitsu - Japan
  • Moodys - Singapore
  • Tata Power - India
  • Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
  • Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
  • Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
  • SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
  • Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
  • Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
  • Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
  • Barclays Capital - USA
  • Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
  • Panama Canal Authority
  • Maybank - Singapore
  • Georgia Ports Authority, United States
  • Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
  • Argus Media - Singapore
  • The Treasury - Australian Government
  • Commonwealth Bank - Australia
  • Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
  • Tanito Harum - Indonesia
  • Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
  • Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
  • Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
  • Coal India Limited
  • Mercator Lines Limited - India
  • Coaltrans Conferences
  • GNFC Limited - India
  • ING Bank NV - Singapore
  • globalCOAL - UK
  • TGV SRAAC LIMITED, India
  • Gresik Semen - Indonesia
  • South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
  • NTPC Limited - India
  • Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
  • Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
  • KEPCO - South Korea
  • Freeport Indonesia
  • Ministry of Mines - Canada
  • Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
  • Rudhra Energy - India
  • Thomson Reuters GRC
  • Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
  • Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
  • BNP Paribas - Singapore
  • Trasteel International SA, Italy
  • WorleyParsons
  • Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
  • Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
  • Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
  • Surastha Cement
  • Posco Energy - South Korea
  • Medco Energi Mining Internasional
  • Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
  • Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
  • bp singapore
  • Maruti Cements - India
  • Pinang Coal Indonesia
  • PowerSource Philippines DevCo
  • Sojitz Corporation - Japan
  • HSBC - Hong Kong
  • Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
  • Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
  • Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
  • Indika Energy - Indonesia
  • ACC Limited - India
  • Aditya Birla Group - India
  • Petron Corporation, Philippines
  • Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
  • Clarksons - UK
  • PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
  • Cardiff University - UK
  • Asia Cement - Taiwan
  • Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
  • Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
  • Mitsui
  • Reliance Power - India
  • OCBC - Singapore
  • Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
  • Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
  • Indonesia Power. PT
  • Vedanta Resources Plc - India
  • Russian Coal LLC
  • Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
  • Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
  • Geoservices-GeoAssay Lab
  • Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
  • Indogreen Group - Indonesia
  • Mjunction Services Limited - India
  • PLN - Indonesia
  • SRK Consulting
  • Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
  • Core Mineral Indonesia
  • The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
  • Renaissance Capital - South Africa
  • Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
  • SMC Global Power, Philippines
  • Thriveni
  • Malabar Cements Ltd - India
  • Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
  • Kobe Steel Ltd - Japan
  • Gupta Coal India Ltd
  • Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
  • RBS Sempra - UK
  • Wilmar Investment Holdings
  • Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
  • Indian Oil Corporation Limited
  • Platou - Singapore
  • Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
  • European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
  • Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
  • LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands