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

Thursday, 17 November 11
DRY BULK MARKET INCHES FORWARD AND INTO HIGHER GROUND - NIKOS ROUSSANOGLOU, HELLENIC SHIPPING
The dry bulk market edged higher yesterday, on the back of stronger demand for Capesize vessels and general improvement of sentiment on most of the ...


Thursday, 17 November 11
KOMIPO INVITES BIDS FOR 500K MT OF COAL
COALspot.com - Korea Midland Power Co. Ltd.(KOMIPO) is inviting bids for the supply of 500,000 Metric Tons of minimum 5700 kcal/kg coal of NAR bases ...


Thursday, 17 November 11
INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT PLANS TO ISSUE MORATORIUM ON COAL MINING LICENSE
COALspot.com - Energy and mineral resources ministry is plans to issue a moratorium on the issuance of coal mining licenses, after the anti-graft co ...


Wednesday, 16 November 11
KRISHNAPATNAM PORT BECOMES DEEPEST DRAFT PORT IN INDIA
COALspot.com - Krishnapatnam Port in its quest to be the best port in India has increased its draft to 17.5 meters, according to E-Mail statement fr ...


Wednesday, 16 November 11
CHINA'S INDONESIA COAL IMPORTS RISE IN OCTOBER
COALspot.com: Indonesia, the world largest coal exporter, shipped 31,162,688 MT of coal in October 2011. China was a largest importer of Indonesi ...


   994 995 996 997 998   
Showing 4976 to 4980 news of total 6871
News by Category
Popular News
 
Total Members : 28,696
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

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