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, 02 June 09
GOVT FINALIZING DMO MECHANISM, REFERENCE PRICE FOR COAL - THE JAKARTA POST
Indonesia, the world's largest thermal coal exporter, is finalizing regulations on a reference price on coal, on a domestic market obligation (DMO) ...


Tuesday, 02 June 09
CHINA OVERSEAS COAL DEMAND TO STAY BUOYANT-MINERS (REUTERS)
China's demand for overseas coal is expected to stay strong in the second half as long as prices of imported coal maintain a discount to domestic p ...


Tuesday, 02 June 09
INDONESIA'S COAL EXPORTS REACH US$ 3.44 BILLION SO FAR THIS YEAR - TRADINGCHARTS
Indonesia`s coal exports in the January-April 2009 period increased by 21.31 per cent to US$3.44 billion compared to US$2.83 billion in the same per ...


Tuesday, 02 June 09
INDONESIA'S BUKIT ASAM AGREES HIGHER COAL PRICES - REUTERS
Indonesian state coal miner PT Bukit Asam Tbk said it has agreed coal prices for two power plants owned by state electricity firm PT Perusahaan List ...


Tuesday, 02 June 09
ADARO MAY RAISE COAL SALES TO CHINA, INDIA PLANTS - THE JAKARTA GLOBE
PT Adaro Energy, the country’s second-largest coal producer, may increase sales of power-plant coal to China and India on signs of a global ec ...


   1342 1343 1344 1345 1346   
Showing 6716 to 6720 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 ...

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