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

Friday, 04 January 19
FOCUS IS ON BOOSTING COAL PRODUCTION: INDIAN COAL MINISTER
The current focus of the government is on boosting production from operational coal mines, according to Minister for Coal, Piyush Goyal. ...


Thursday, 03 January 19
CAPESIZE: A MORE POSITIVE START OF THE NEW YEAR THAN EXPECTED FOR THE BIG SHIPS - FEARNLEYS
Capesize A more positive start of the new year than expected for the big ships, with average gains of  US$ 500/day posted on the first tra ...


Tuesday, 01 January 19
INDONESIA: COAL PRODUCTION EXPECTED TO EXCEED THIS YEAR'S TARGET - JP
Indonesian coal production reached 456 million tons up to Thursday or 94.02 percent of this year’s total target of 485 million tons, accordin ...


Monday, 31 December 18
THE INDONESIAN COAL MARKET Q1 '19 FORECAST: LOOKS DIRECTIONLESS - TRADER
The Indonesian coal market looks directionless, an International coal trader said when we asked him to give his forecast for 1Q' 2019.  ...


Monday, 31 December 18
GLOBAL COAL DEMAND GREW BY 1% IN 2017; GLOBAL COAL POWER GENERATION INCREASED BY OVER 250 TWH - IEA
After two years of decline, global coal demand grew by 1% in 2017 to 7585 Mt as stronger global economic growth increased both industrial output an ...


   300 301 302 303 304   
Showing 1506 to 1510 news of total 6871
News by Category
Popular News
 
Total Members : 28,630
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

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