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, 15 November 13
US COAL PRODUCTION UP 2.59% WEEK ON WEEK
COALspot.com – United States the world’s second largest coal producer, produced approximately 19.8 million short tons (mmst) of coal in ...


Friday, 15 November 13
TAIWAN'S PLASTICS GROUP FORMOSA TO IMPORT 1.37 MILLION TONS OF COAL FOR Q1' 14
COALspot.com: Taiwan's Formosa Plastics Group is inviting bids for total 1.37 million mt of coal for 1Q’ 14 for its various plants in Taiwan, ...


Thursday, 14 November 13
KOMIPO TO BUY 270K MT OF SUB-BITUMINOUS COAL FOR Q2' 14
COALspot.com : Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd. has invited bids through International Open Bidding for 140,000 Metric Tons (MT) of sub-bituminous coal ...


Thursday, 14 November 13
PANAMAX : MARKET SHOULD BE AROUND USD 11500 FOR 1 YEAR - FEARNLEYS AS
Handy The Atlantic market has picked up this week with prompt ships able USG for November dates coming off and chrts need to pay up in order to cov ...


Wednesday, 13 November 13
Y'14 SUB-BIT INDO COAL SWAP MOVING AT SNAIL-SPEED
COALspot.com – Sub-Bit Indonesia coal swap (FOB ) for average Q1’2014  delivery gained 2.95 percept  month on month on Friday ...


   801 802 803 804 805   
Showing 4011 to 4015 news of total 6871
News by Category
Popular News
 
Total Members : 28,691
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

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