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

Monday, 27 July 09
MIDDLE EAST COAL TO MOVE ON $1B EAST KALIMANTAN PROJECT
The Jakarta globe reported that, Middle East Coal reiterated on Monday that it would push ahead its $1 billion development program for East Kutai Re ...


Monday, 27 July 09
SHORT AND ONE YEAR PERIOD RATES FOR SUPRAMAX WAS FIRM AT AROUND US$ 18, 000 -18,500 PER DAY
COALspot.com (Singapore): The Supramax charter rates up sharply last week (ended 24th July 2009), especially India / Far East region said, Capt ...


Monday, 27 July 09
COKING COAL, IRON-ORE LIKELY TO BENEFIT NON-INTEGRATED STEEL PRODUCERS
Economictimes reported that, The second half of the financial year 2008-09 was one of the toughest periods for steel companies, especially the non-i ...


Monday, 27 July 09
GMR ENERGY BUYS EMCO POWERGEN SUBSIDIARY
DNA India reported that, Thane-based transformer manufacturer Emco Ltd has sold its stake in unlisted power generation subsidiary Emco Energy to Ban ...


Sunday, 26 July 09
CESC PLANS 2000 MW POWER PLANT IN BIHAR
Jai Bihar reported that, RPG flagship company CESC Ltd on Friday unveiled its plan to set up a 2,000 MW power generation plant at Pirpainti near Bha ...


   1310 1311 1312 1313 1314   
Showing 6556 to 6560 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 ...

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