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

Tuesday, 16 June 09
INDIAN MINING WORKER ARRESTED IN BENGKULU
Forestry officials in Bengkulu Province, Sumatra, arrested one Indian national and two Indonesians on Sunday for unauthorized exploration in the ele ...


Tuesday, 16 June 09
INDIAN GOVERNMENT MAY ALLOW PRIVATE COMPANIES TO MINE COAL
The government is “strongly considering” to allow commercial coal mining by private companies in a bid to bridge the demand-supply gap, ...


Monday, 15 June 09
SAFRICA'S COAL TERMINAL EXPANSION DELAYED TO Q4
South Africa's Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) said on Monday the completion of a project to expand the export facility had been delayed to the f ...


Monday, 15 June 09
SHENHUA DENIES GIVING GROUND ON EXPORT COAL PRICE - REUTERS
China Shenhua Energy Co, the country's top coal producer, expects Japanese and South Korean clients to pay at least as much as Chinese customers fo ...


Monday, 15 June 09
POWER PLANT SUFFERS FROM COAL CRISIS - THE STATESMAN
The 3,000 mw NTPC-Kaniha power plant, the second biggest in the country, is facing an unprecedented coal crisis with stocks dipping to a low of only ...


   1335 1336 1337 1338 1339   
Showing 6681 to 6685 news of total 6871
News by Category
Popular News
 
Total Members : 28,706
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

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