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

Tuesday, 19 January 10
COAL FOR DOMESTIC USERS
While the government is already almost a year behind schedule in issuing regulations to implement the new mining law, mineral producers have been&nb ...


Tuesday, 19 January 10
RISING DEMAND FROM POWER FIRMS TO PUSH COAL PRICES
The resurgence of the Chinese economy, along with harsh winter conditions across the country, is likely to push coal prices up in the short term. In ...


Tuesday, 19 January 10
ESSAR'S MEGA ACQUISITION PLANS
India’s Essar Group has carved a mega plan that includes a slew of acquisitions and investments in assets across various businesses. CNBC-TV18 ...


Monday, 18 January 10
INDONESIA SHIPPED 15.90 PERCENT OF TOTAL COAL EXPORTS IN 2009 TO INDIA
COALspot.com (Indonesia): Indonesia, the world largest coal exporter, exported 19.07 percent of the total coal export in 2009  to China and 15. ...


Monday, 18 January 10
BHP TO SPEND $267 MILLION ON QUEENSLAND COKING COAL
BHP Billiton Ltd, the world’s largest mining company, will spend $267 million to accelerate development of the Caval Ridge mine and the Hay Po ...


   1214 1215 1216 1217 1218   
Showing 6076 to 6080 news of total 6871
News by Category
Popular News
 
Total Members : 28,619
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

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