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

Saturday, 01 August 20
SHIP SHAPE - OUCH: FIS
Thursday afternoon saw a report that US GDP in Q2 shrank by 32.9%. Now this may have beaten expectations, but it’s a bit like saying that you ...


Saturday, 01 August 20
ASIA HOPE FOR LONG-TERM OIL DEMAND - BALTIC BRIEFING
Oil demand in Asia Pacific might be expected to plunge 1.8m barrels per day (bpd) this year, but there are still strong prospects for growth over t ...


Friday, 31 July 20
SHORT-TERM IMPACT ON THE CHEMICAL SHIPPING MARKET IF THE INDIA-CHINA DISPUTE ESCALATES - DREWRY
Due to the India-China dispute, the threat of deteriorating trade relations between the two countries has become real. Meanwhile, we expect freight ...


Friday, 31 July 20
PANAMAX: THE PERIOD MARKET REMAINS QUIET WITH FEW FIXTURES REPORTED - FEARNLEYS
Capesize After weeks of dropping rates, there are finally some resistance for the Capes. Pacific rounds improving to upper15,000s by the middle ...


Friday, 31 July 20
PANDEMIC SENDING SOUTH AFRICAN COAL INDUSTRY TO EARLIER GRAVE - IEEFA
Could South Africa’s coal export industry, one of the largest in the world, be about to take a severe hit from the coronavirus?   ...


   169 170 171 172 173   
Showing 851 to 855 news of total 6871
News by Category
Popular News
 
Total Members : 28,705
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

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