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, 28 September 21
THE MAIDEN EDITION OF DIVE TECHNOLOGY SUMMIT 2021 CONCLUDES SUCCESSFULLY
Press Release: DIVE TECHNOLOGY SUMMIT 2021, a one-day conference on the recent technological advancements in the Industrial Diving industry conclud ...


Monday, 27 September 21
CHINESE COAL FIRMS MEET TO ADDRESS WINTER SUPPLY CHALLENGES - CNBC
Major Chinese coal producers are trying to resolve supply shortages and curb price rises as the country’s winter consumption peak approaches, ...


Saturday, 25 September 21
HIGH STAKES FOR ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK’S AMBITIOUS COAL POWER RETIREMENT PLAN - IEEFA
Implementation challenges could block funding for other equally important high impact clean energy funding strategies   In the lead up ...


Thursday, 23 September 21
LONGER COAL CONTRACTS MAY REIN IN PRICES - ECNS
In China’s coal sector that has been marred recently by price surges, regional authorities and related enterprises should ensure the fuel con ...


Thursday, 23 September 21
BALTIC INDEX HITS 12-YEAR PEAK ON FIRMER VESSELS RATES - REUTERS
The Baltic Exchange’s main dry bulk sea freight index rose for a fourth straight session on Wednesday to a 12-year high, buoyed by higher rat ...


   94 95 96 97 98   
Showing 476 to 480 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 ...

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