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, 30 December 09
INDIA CEMENTS TO FINALIZE 3 SHIPMENTS OF SOUTH AFRICAN COAL NEXT WEEK
COALspot.com (India): India Cements is looking for 3 shipments (150,000MT) of South African coal for January – March 2010 delivery on C ...


Wednesday, 30 December 09
BANPU EXPECTS STABLE COAL PRICES
2009 revenue growth will be hard to beat Banpu Plc, Asean's largest coal miner, expects coal prices to stay firm at about US$80 per tonne in the f ...


Wednesday, 30 December 09
CIL DELISTS JAGUAR ENERGY FOR KODA LINKS
Coal India Ltd (CIL) has dropped Indonesia-based Jaguar Energy & Power Ltd from the list of companies, it intended to forge partnerships with to ...


Wednesday, 30 December 09
COAL PRICE RISE REQUEST DENIED
A proposal by the Viet Nam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group to double the price of coal has been turned down by the Ministry of Industry a ...


Wednesday, 30 December 09
CHINA'S 2010 COAL DEMAND COULD RISE 4%-6%, ACCORDING TO CHINA SECURITIES JOURNAL
China, which is the world’s second-largest energy user, may consume between 4 and 6% more coal next year on continued economic growth, China S ...


   1225 1226 1227 1228 1229   
Showing 6131 to 6135 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 ...

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