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, 14 January 20
MABUX: BUNKER MARKET THIS MORNING, JAN.14
MABUX World Bunker Index (consists of a range of prices for 380 HSFO, 180 HSFO and MGO (Gasoil) in the main world hubs) changed insignificant and i ...


Tuesday, 14 January 20
SHIPPING MARKET ANALYSIS - ALLIED SHIPBROKING
Uncertainty in the global geopolitical sphere seems to have not come to an end along with 2019, as 2020 commenced with renewed tensions between the ...


Tuesday, 14 January 20
DRY BULK MARKET: "THIS IS NOT THE END OF COAL" SAYS IEA - BALTIC EXCHANGE
A historic drop in coal-fired electricity generation will not sway global coal demand from its upward trajectory through to 2024, though growth wil ...


Saturday, 11 January 20
ARE YOU 95% CONFIDENT THAT YOUR VERY LOW SULPHUR FUEL IS ON SPEC AND MARPOL COMPLIANT? - GARD
KNOWLEDGE TO ELEVATE Bunker fuel is a commodity and, like all commodities, is produced and sold according to specifications. Bunkers are usual ...


Saturday, 11 January 20
NEW PRICING COULD SPELL TROUBLE FOR CHINA'S COAL SECTOR - CHINA DIALOGUE
Benchmark coal tariffs have been the foundation of China’s electricity pricing since 2004 but this mechanism was replaced on January 1 with a ...


   238 239 240 241 242   
Showing 1196 to 1200 news of total 6871
News by Category
Popular News
 
Total Members : 28,624
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

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