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

Friday, 19 June 09
COAL FORUM TO MEET IN BALI NEXT WEEK
Bali will host next week a Southeast Asian forum on coal, involving coal producers, consumers and government representatives. The Indonesian Ener ...


Friday, 19 June 09
KARNATAKA POWER CORP BEGINS BLENDING INDONESIAN COAL
BL reported that the State Government owned power utility Karnataka Power Corporation Limited has begun blending imported Indonesian coal for its th ...


Thursday, 18 June 09
COAL MINING HALTS AFTER DEADLY BLAST - (UPDATE 2)
All mining activists in Sawahlunto, West Sumatra, are at a standstill after a major underground explosion killed at least 31 miners and buried 12 ot ...


Thursday, 18 June 09
INDIA'S HINDALCO CLOSE TO BUYING AUSTRALIA COAL MINE
India's largest aluminium maker Hindalco Industries is close to acquiring a coal mine in Australia, for about $70-$80 million, The Economic Times r ...


Thursday, 18 June 09
GERMAN COAL BUYERS SEE LOWER IMPORTS, PRICES
* Coal imports and prices fall as steel industry slumps * Coal industry grapples with carbon polluter image German imports of hard coal are like ...


   1333 1334 1335 1336 1337   
Showing 6671 to 6675 news of total 6871
News by Category
Popular News
 
Total Members : 28,617
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

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