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, 11 February 10
THE INDIAN MARKET SOFTENING A BIT - FEARNRESEARCH
Handy The BSI has gone down for 3 weeks now but it is more a reflection of the Pac market. Activity in the Atl remains solid and rates remain firm ...


Thursday, 11 February 10
SOUTH AFRICA COAL EXPORTS DROP TO INDIA, CHINA
South African coal exports to India from Richards Bay Coal Terminal fell 39% in January from December's levels while shipments to China dropped 55% ...


Thursday, 11 February 10
JSW STEEL IS CLOSE TO ACQUIRING TWO COAL MINES IN THE US
“We are in advanced stages of negotiation and the deal will be completed in a month or two,” a company official told DNA Money on the co ...


Wednesday, 10 February 10
BHP TAKES MARUWAI SALE OFF THE TABLE, MINISTRY SAYS
Australian mining giant BHP Billiton may cancel a plan to sell a stake in its coal mining project in Maruwai, East Kalimantan, an official at the En ...


Wednesday, 10 February 10
JPMORGAN FORECASTS A 5.7% GROWTH IN SEABORNE IRON ORE SHIPMENTS, 3.8% FOR COAL AND GRAIN THIS YEAR
This year volumes of iron ore transportation by sea may grow to 5.7%, coal and grain up 3.8% over numbers in 2009, Ukrrudprom reports citing analyst ...


   1200 1201 1202 1203 1204   
Showing 6006 to 6010 news of total 6871
News by Category
Popular News
 
Total Members : 28,634
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

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