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

Thursday, 13 May 10
ACTIVITY ON WEST COAST INDIA IS SLOWING - FEARNLEYS AS
DRY BULK CHARTERING Handy Atlantic markets remain firm but more for end May/beg June dates as there seems to be more enquiries for those dates. ...


Thursday, 13 May 10
DRY BULK SHIP OWNERS CHEERFUL AMID MARKET RALLY
China’s appetite for raw materials like iron ore and coal, as well as a series of added factors are boosting demand for dry bulk carriers, hel ...


Wednesday, 12 May 10
BANPU'S Q1 PROFIT SLIDES 43% TO B2.71BN - BANGKOK POST
The Bangkokpost reported that, Banpu Plc posted a first-quarter net profit of 2.71 billion baht, down by 43% from the same period last year. The ...


Tuesday, 11 May 10
DALRYMPLE BAY COAL EXPORTS HIGHEST SINCE JULY; NEWCASTLE FALLS - BLOOMBERG
Bloomberg reported that, Coal shipments from Australia’s Dalrymple Bay terminal in Queensland state rose to the highest in nine months in Apri ...


Tuesday, 11 May 10
DRY BULK RATES SHOOT UP ON STRONG CARGO DEMAND
The dry bulk industry’s benchmark, the Baltic Dry Index (BDI) has kept its momentum, as predicted by analysts and shipping experts, managing t ...


   1167 1168 1169 1170 1171   
Showing 5841 to 5845 news of total 6871
News by Category
Popular News
 
Total Members : 28,622
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

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