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, 15 October 09
GOVT TO CAP COAL EXPORTS AT 150 MILLION TONS A YEAR
The Jakarta Post reported that, The government plans to cap coal exports at around 150 million tons a year in a bid to guarantee supply for domestic ...


Thursday, 15 October 09
AUSTRALIAN MINING COMPANIES REPORTED FINDING 1.5 BILLION COAL MINE DEPOSIT IN MOZAMBIQUE
Paguntaka reported that, Mozambique is a country that has the potential mining areas are very rich. Many mining companies who want to invest in the ...


Wednesday, 14 October 09
INDONESIA POWER FIRM SIGNS LOAN AGREEMENTS FOR OVER $1 BLN
Reuters reported that, Indonesia's state electricity firm PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) has raised more than $1 billion from a group of banks ...


Wednesday, 14 October 09
LARSEN & TOUBRO MAY ENTER POWER GENERATION BUSINESS IN INDIA
Bloomberg reported that, Larsen & Toubro Ltd., India’s biggest engineering company, said it is considering entering the power generation b ...


Wednesday, 14 October 09
INDONESIA MULLS TO LIMIT COAL EXPORT
China View reported that, The Indonesian government planned to limit coal export of up to 150 million tons per year due to the growing coal demand i ...


   1266 1267 1268 1269 1270   
Showing 6336 to 6340 news of total 6871
News by Category
Popular News
 
Total Members : 28,618
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

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