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, 27 January 10
PEABODY ENERGY EYES 'RED HOT' ASIAN COAL DEMAND
US miner Peabody Energy has seen already-strong Asian markets become “red hot”, as demand for metallurgical and thermal coal strains sup ...


Wednesday, 27 January 10
KOLKOTTA BASED POWER UTILITY CESC LOOKING FOR 100,000 MT OF COAL FOR MAY & JUNE DELIVERY
COALspot.com (India): Kolkotta based power utility CESC, the flagship company of the diversified RPG group of India, has issued a closed tender to b ...


Tuesday, 26 January 10
FREIGHT COST ERODES INDIA CEMENTS NET
"Freight cost increased from an average of around 14% of sales in the previous quarters to around 20% in the third quarter" The Decembe ...


Tuesday, 26 January 10
VITOL BUYS EXPORT SPACE AT COLOMBIA SANTA MARTA PORT
Global energy trader Vitol has signed a four-year deal to take export capacity at Colombia's 3 million tonnes a year Carbonsan port in Santa Marta, ...


Tuesday, 26 January 10
AUSTRALIAN FIRM TO MINE COAL IN WEST BENGAL
India Resources Ltd (IRL), a mining firm listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, has decided to enter into contract mining of coal in  India ...


   1209 1210 1211 1212 1213   
Showing 6051 to 6055 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 ...

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