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 : 28,617
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

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