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, 21 October 09
INDONESIA'S BUKIT ASAM GETS COAL RAILWAY APPROVAL
Reuters reported that, Indonesian state coal miner PT Tambang Batubara Bukit Asam Tbk said on Wednesday it had been given government approval to sta ...


Wednesday, 21 October 09
COAL DEMAND SOARS AS ASIA ECONOMIES REBOUND - PEABODY
Reuters reported that, Demand for coal to generate electricity and make steel in China and India is expected to grow by 7 percent to 8 percent annua ...


Wednesday, 21 October 09
INDONESIAN SHOCK FOR INDIAN POWER PLANTS
Business-Standard reported that, India’s ambitious plans to generate an additional 180,000 Mw of power in the next seven years will face hurdl ...


Wednesday, 21 October 09
DUTA GRAHA PLANNING TO DELVE INTO MINING SECTOR
The Jakarta Globe reported that, PT Duta Graha, one of the country’s largest private engineering firms, says it intends to diversify into the ...


Tuesday, 20 October 09
RECAPITAL SET TO BUY INDONESIA'S BERAU COAL - SOURCES
* COULD PAY AT LEAST $1.3 BLN FOR BERAU - SOURCES * RECAPITAL CONFIRMS IT HAS BID FOR BERAU * BAKRIE GROUP LIKELY TO BACK BID – SOURCES ...


   1263 1264 1265 1266 1267   
Showing 6321 to 6325 news of total 6871
News by Category
Popular News
 
Total Members : 28,634
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

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