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, 28 April 09
S'PORE COURT RULES AGAINST DEUTSCHE ON ASSET SALE - REUTERS
Singapore's highest court has ruled that Deutsche Bank (DBKGn.DE) may have to pay unspecified damages to an investment firm as it did not get the b ...


Tuesday, 28 April 09
WORLD THERMAL COAL PRICE EXPECTED TO CRASH - PURCHASING.COM
Macquarie Bank sees 50% drop to $60/ton in 2009 Macquarie Bank today forecast the 2009 average market price for world thermal coal at $60/ton, a ...


Tuesday, 28 April 09
THAI LANNA TO OPEN NEW INDONESIAN MINE BY Q3 - REUTERS
Thailand's Lanna Resources PCL LANN.BK said on Monday it planned to open a new coal mine in Indonesia by the third quarter of 2009 with an initial ...


Tuesday, 28 April 09
SOUTH AFRICAN EXPORT COAL RETREATS ON WEAKER EUROPEAN DEMAND - BLOOMBERG
Prices for coal shipped from South Africa’s Richards Bay, site of the world’s largest export terminal for the fuel, fell for a second co ...


Monday, 27 April 09
INDONESIA S.KALIMANTAN GETS COAL TRUCKS OFF PUBLIC ROADS - REUTERS
A local government in one of Indonesia's top coal-producing areas has banned coal and palm oil firms from using public roads because of the damage ...


   1355 1356 1357 1358 1359   
Showing 6781 to 6785 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 ...

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