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

Monday, 28 May 18
KOMIPO ISSUED ANOTHER TENDER FOR 130K MT OF 5700 NAR COAL
COALspot.com: South Korea state-owned utility Korea Midland Power (KOMIPO) issued a tender for 130,000 mt of min. 5700 NAR coal of Australian origi ...


Thursday, 24 May 18
SUPRAS FIXING AROUND USD 15000 FOR INDO TO CHINA COAL TRIPS - FEARNLEYS
Capesize Both the physical and the paper market have dropped sharply the last couple of days on the back of a lack of fresh cargoes and a growing ...


Thursday, 24 May 18
FITCH: FALLING COAL INVESTMENT TO SUPPORT ASIAN PRICES
Press Release: The long-term outlook for the Asian thermal coal prices is improving, amid rising regional demand and falling mining investment, whi ...


Thursday, 24 May 18
BEIJING ORDERS UTILITIES, MINERS TO HELP COOL RED-HOT COAL MARKET: SOURCES - REUTERS
China’s state planner ordered utilities this week to stop stockpiling thermal coal and told miners to slash prices, two sources familiar with ...


Wednesday, 23 May 18
TANKER MARKET INSIGHT - TIMOS PAPADIMITRIOU
In the last six months we have seen more than 110 reported tanker transactions involving tonnage larger than 32k dwt and younger than 18 years old. ...


   342 343 344 345 346   
Showing 1716 to 1720 news of total 6871
News by Category
Popular News
 
Total Members : 28,706
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

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