COALspot.com keeps you connected across the coal world

Submit Your Articles
We welcome article submissions from experts in the areas of coal, mining, shipping, etc.

To Submit your article please click here.

International Energy Events


Search News
Latest CoalNews Headlines
Monday, 05 September 11
INDONESIAN COAL BENCHMARK PRICE - ANALYSIS


Analyst : Sunil K Kumbhat
COALspot.com - As a part of the Government’s efforts to stop transfer pricing abuses which have resulted in the loss of production royalties in recent years Govt of Indonesia issued  Regulation No.17 of 2010 entitled "Procedures to Determine the Benchmark Price for Mineral and Coal Sales" .

Apart from  setting out the procedures to determine the benchmark price for the sale of coal and minerals, Regulation  imposes other obligations on mineral and coal producers (that is, the holders of Production Operation IUPs and IUPKs) when making sales.This move has been seen as important as the benchmark Coal price is expected to provide optimum price and help goverment in calculating potential State Revenue. The new regulations will allow the Indonesian government to get the right amount of royalty , and the taxable revenues from the sector will also move up to the correct levels. It will also stop the practice of transfer pricing. The government has put in a strong framework.

The following are some key points highlights the provisions of regulation  and the likely impact it will have on mine owners, including on their sales activities, royalty calculations and administrative obligations:

Obligation to follow benchmark price
Regulation  provides that mineral and coal producers are obliged to sell minerals and coal based on a regulated benchmark price, whether for domestic or export sales.

The benchmark pricing obligation applies to all minerals and coal sales to third parties, including to any affiliate of the mineral and coal producer (which includes any party that has direct ownership in the holder of a Production Operation IUP or a Production Operation IUPK as well as any party that may indirectly influence the decision-making of such holders).

Determination of benchmark price
Regulation  provides that the benchmark price for  minerals and coal will be determined by the Director General of Minerals and Coal (DGMC) .  The benchmark price for non-metallic minerals and rocks will be determined by either the Governor or the Regent/Mayor, as appropriate.

Different methods will be used to determine the benchmark price for different commodities. For metallic minerals, the DGMC will determine the benchmark price for each metallic mineral monthly using a formula that refers to international market prices. For coal, the DGMC will determine separate benchmark prices for metallurgical coal, thermal coal and low rank coal monthly.No formal definition of low rank coal exists , however in the past ;MEMR has referred to low rank coal as any coal with  gross calorific value( ADB Basis) of less than 5100 kca/kg. The benchmark price for metallurgical and thermal coal will use a formula that refers to the average coal prices based on local and international market indices.As a system  government will determine Coal Price Reference (Harga Batubara Acuan or HPA) by averaging the calorie value of coal in four coal price indexes, namely :

1.Newcastle Coal Index,
2.Global Coal Index,
3.Platts and
4.Indonesia Coal Index (ICI).


The first two indexes represented international price, while the last two indexes represent local coal prices. Each coal category has a weight of 25 percent.  The coal category will divided based on coal quality, which is set at 6,322 kcal/kg (arb), moisture content at 8 percent (arb), sulfur content of 0.8 percent (arb), and ash content at 15 percent (arb).

After determining the Coal Price Reference (HBA), the benchmark coal price (HPB) is then determined. There will be 8 benchmark prices category, representing the quality of the coal, starting from 4,200 up to 7,000 kcal/kg.

For that price of coal other than 8 classes of HPB, prices are determined by interpolation approaches or determining HPB based on a certain formula.

Sales of minerals and coal
The benchmark price is set on the basis of the price paid for Coal at the point of Sale by way of FOB Vessel. Sales of metals, ore, concentrate or other intermediary products can be made :

1.Free on Board (FOB) mother vessel or
2.FOB barge basis.
3.Sales can also be made to end users domestically or in the form of Cost Insurance Freight (CIF) or
4.Cost and Freight (C&F).


In calculating the sales price for FOB mother vessel sales for royalty payment purposes, holders of Production Operation IUPs for metallic minerals must refer to the benchmark price. For  sales that are not made FOB mother vessel basis (including FOB barge sales), the benchmark price may be adjusted by adding or subtracting an amount based on certain recognised costs approved by the DGMC.

While the principle of deducting certain costs from the benchmark price for the purpose of royalty calculations would appear to be reasonable, Regulation  leaves open the possibility that there may be costs that could adjust the benchmark price by being added to, rather than being subtracted from, the benchmark price. The circumstances under which costs would be added to the benchmark price are not yet regulated.

Adjustments can include costs incurred for barging, survey, trans-shipment, treatment as well as refinery and/or metal payable and/or insurance costs. For coal, sales are contemplated in the form of FOB mother vessel, FOB barge, within an island to an end user or on a CIF or CF basis. In calculating the sales price, holders of Production Operation IUPs for coal to be sold FOB mother vessel must refer to the benchmark price. Again, for non-FOB mother vessel sales (including FOB barge sales), certain costs may be added or subtracted as approved by the DGMC.

Under the new sales price regime for coal, the production royalty for FOB mother vessel sales will effectively also be imposed on barge transportation and trans-shipment costs (as well as survey and insurance costs), which are not able to be subtracted from the selling price.

Accordingly, all royalties for FOB mother vessel sales are now assessed on the full delivered cost FOB mother vessel without adjustment for costs. Regulation  provides that further details on the procedures to determine the amount of “adjustment costs” will be set out by the DGMC in a separate DGMC regulation.

Benchmark Price for calculation of royalties
For royalty calculations, regulation  provides that for minerals and coal sales made FOB mother vessel basis, the Government will take the higher of the contractually-agreed price or the benchmark price.  On the other hand, for non-FOB mother vessel sales such as mineral or coal sales by way of FOB barge, the production royalties will be calculated using:

• (a) the contracted sales price, if the contracted sales price is higher than the benchmark price, after adding or subtracting the adjustment amount (adjusted benchmark price); or
• (b) the adjusted benchmark price, if the sales price is the same as or lower than the adjusted benchmark price.

Post sales Reporting
Coal producers are required to submit post-sales reports on the sales of their mineral and coal commodities every month, together with supporting information including invoices and bills of lading,quality reports and barging Costs as well as export declarations and surveyor reports for exported commodities. This  new reporting obligations will add significant  administrative burdens to mining companies.

Sale of coal for certain purposes
Coal of certain types (including fine coal, reject coal and coal with certain impurities) for domestic use may be sold below the coal benchmark price, upon approval of the Govt (DGMC) which  will issue separate  regulations regarding what types of coal will fall within this exception.

Similarly, coal to be used for certain purposes in the domestic market may be sold below the coal benchmark price, upon approval of the Govt.

The Govt will issue further regulations on the purposes that will be exempted. Regulation  indicates that coal used for individual needs  or for the development of underdeveloped or poorly developed regions will be exempted from the benchmark pricing requirements.

Impact on existing coal and/or mineral sales contracts


All existing supply contracts ( Both Spot and term Contracts) with Indonesian mining firms will have to be brought in line with this new benchmark regulations by 22nd September 2011. Spot sale contracts must be adjusted by no later than six months after the effective date of Regulation No. 17 (that is, by 22 March 2011).

Term sales contracts must be adjusted by no later than 12 months after the effective date of Regulation No. 17 (that is, by 22 September 2011).

Sanctions
Regulation provides that the Government can impose a range of administrative penalties on mineral and coal producers who fail to comply with the provisions of Regulation.

Penalties range from written warnings, temporary suspension of sales, and ultimately, cancellation of the licences’. Due to the severity of such sanctions, mining companies will need to pay particular notice to the requirement of this new regulation.


Indian Impact
For India, the situation will be aggravated by stagnation in domestic production even as demand has increased. With up to 100,000 MW of capacity addition likely in the 12 th plan period starting next year, more coal-based projects may need to scout overseas for fuel.

Three to five years back, domestic coal production was able to keep pace with the demand from power producers. However in 2010, domestic production has remained at a flat level, while there has been a sudden increase in demand from Indian power companies.

With a substantial part of its imported coal requirement already coming from Indonesia, India’s appetite is expected to grow further. India's coal imports from Indonesia are rising every year. In 2010, it overtook Japan to become the second largest importer of Indonesian coal after China. It is expected that  India may become the biggest importer of Indonesian coal in 2012.

The regulation is likely to increase the price of coal mainly for all Indian Power  Projects  using imported coal from Indonesia. The impact on the tariff of such projects may vary, depending upon the quality of imported coal and fuel mix. All existing supply agreements with Indonesian mining firms will have to be brought in line with this new benchmark by 22nd September 2011. The implementation of this new regulation will adversely impact all existing and future Coal based power plants importing Coal from Indonesia.The new regulations will allow the Indonesian government to get the right amount of royalty , and the taxable revenues from the sector will also move up to the correct levels. It will also stop the practice of transfer pricing. The government has put in a strong framework.

Given the long-term demand fundamentals, current high coal price scenario may continue to squeeze margins (of Indian power producers). This may well be the end of the road for cheap Indonesian coal.

Conclusion
Whilst the intention behind the minimum pricing regulation is to stop transfer pricing abuses which according to Govt, have plagued the Indonesian mining industry( particularly the Coal mining Industry) over recent years, the question is whether this intention has been implemented in a way which is inconsistent with genuine , arms -length commercial practices which exist in the market. (updated on 5 Sept 2011)
Analyst By : Sunil K Kumbhat

The views and opinions / conclusion expressed on this analysis is purely the writers’ own



If you believe an article violates your rights or the rights of others, please contact us.

Recent News

Thursday, 12 November 09
FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN RUSSIAN COAL SECTOR
Reuters reported that, Russia's coal mines, particularly in the Arctic and Far East, are attracting interest from foreign investors as commodity pr ...


Thursday, 12 November 09
BANPU TO INVEST US$ 466 M
Plan targets 33.5m tonnes of coal per year Bangkok Post reported that, Banpu Plc, Asean's largest coal miner, is planning capital investments of ...


Wednesday, 11 November 09
NORTHSTAR TAKES 40 PER CENT OF INDONESIAN MINING COMPANY
AltAssets reported that, PT Northstar Pacific Partners, the Indonesian affiliate of US private equity firm TPG, has taken a 40 per cent stake in Ind ...


Wednesday, 11 November 09
INDONESIAN COAL MINERS SOLD BIG VOLUMES OF 2010 TO CHINA
* China has scooped up large volumes of Indonesian coal * Total exports to China in 2010 seen to exceed 20 million T * Chinese, Indian demand may ...


Wednesday, 11 November 09
INDIAN COAL IMPORT FROM SA IN OCTOBER
Reuters reported that India imported 2.4 million tonnes of coal from South Africa's Richards Bay Coal Terminal in October 2009, 35% of the total of ...


   1250 1251 1252 1253 1254   
Showing 6256 to 6260 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 ...

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