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, 17 November 20
AUSTRALIAN COAL EXPORTS TO CHINA SLUMP, BUT PRICES ARE MIXED - REUTERS
China’s unofficial ban on coal imports from Australia is starting to take its toll on volumes, with departing cargoes down sharply so far in ...


Friday, 13 November 20
SHIPPING OUTLOOK TURNS STABLE ON EBITDA GROWTH, IMPROVING SUPPLY-DEMAND BALANCE - MOODY’S
Outlook revised to stable from negative.   The global shipping industry is on course to perform better overall than we had previously ex ...


Friday, 13 November 20
CHINA'S BENCHMARK POWER COAL PRICE EDGES UP - XINHUA
China’s benchmark power coal price rose slightly during the past week.   The Bohai-Rim Steam-Coal Price Index (BSPI), a gauge of ...


Monday, 09 November 20
INDONESIA MAY CUT BIODIESEL USE TARGET AS SUBSIDY FUND DEPLETES - FITCH
The Indonesian government may rein in its push to increase use of biodiesel as it now comes at higher cost following a fall in crude oil prices and ...


Monday, 09 November 20
SOUTH AFRICA: COAL MARKET CONDITIONS HAVE ' DETERIORATED MATERIALLY' - IEEFA
The Asian seaborne thermal coal pool is drying out   Resource Generation Ltd’s proposed but long delayed Boikarabelo coal mine i ...


   146 147 148 149 150   
Showing 736 to 740 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 ...

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