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

Wednesday, 15 February 12
HBA FOR FEB 2012, CLIMBS 2.09 PERCENT AND REACHED US$ 111.58 PER TON
COALspot.com - The Indonesian coal reference price for February climbs 2.09 percent to US$111.58 per ton after losing past three months.   ...


Monday, 13 February 12
WEEKLY DRY MARKET OVERVIEW - MARIA BERTZELETOU, HELLENIC SHIPPING
The current sentiment in the dry market resembles memories from the end of 2008, when the Baltic Dry Index closed at the level of 663 points on Dece ...


Sunday, 12 February 12
INDONESIA HAS ISSUED A REGULATION TO BAN THE EXPORT OF UNPROCESSED MINERALS AND METALS BY 2014
COALspot.com - The Indonesian government has finally issued a ministerial decree (7 Year 2012 dated 6 February 2012) to ban the export of unpro ...


Sunday, 12 February 12
THE BALTIC DRY INDEX CLIMBS 10.51%
COALspot.com - "The markets touched record lows not seen since mid 80’s. However there was some good news with signs of market recovery a ...


Saturday, 11 February 12
A SNAPSHOT ON THE ECONOMIC AND SHIPPING ENVIRONMENT - GOLDEN DESTINY
    The week was highlighted with intense worries in the eurozone for Greece to secure its second bailout of $130billion by applying a ...


   969 970 971 972 973   
Showing 4851 to 4855 news of total 6871
News by Category
Popular News
 
Total Members : 28,695
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

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