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, 24 March 21
MARKET INSIGHT - INTERMODAL
Since the start of the pandemic, the shipping industry has efficiently responded to ensure the continuity of operations and hence the security of s ...


Tuesday, 23 March 21
LOWER WHOLESALE PRICES PUT PRESSURE ON AUSTRALIAN ENERGY RETAILERS - FITCH RATINGS
Fitch Ratings expects the low wholesale energy prices in the Australian National Energy Market to persist through to 2022, which will affect electr ...


Tuesday, 23 March 21
SCRUBBER-FITTED SHIPS NEARLY DOUBLE AS FUEL SPREAD SETTLES AT $118 PER MT - PETER SAND
As the lion’s share of the world fleet replaced high-sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) with low-sulphur fuel oil (LFSO) as a mean of propulsion to be c ...


Tuesday, 23 March 21
CHINA'S COAL OUTPUT EDGES UP IN FIRST TWO MONTHS - XINHUA
China’s raw coal output rose 25 percent year on year to 620 million tonnes in the first two months of 2021, official data showed.   ...


Wednesday, 17 March 21
MARKET INSIGHT - INTERMODAL
Shipping market players are familiar with the inverse correlation between the freight market and demolition activity i.e. when the market picks up ...


   122 123 124 125 126   
Showing 616 to 620 news of total 6871
News by Category
Popular News
 
Total Members : 28,617
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

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