We welcome article submissions from experts in the areas of coal, mining,
shipping, etc.
To Submit your article please click here.
|
|
|
Friday, 07 October 11
MINING REGULATIONS , OBSTACLES AND GROWTH : INDIA VS INDONESIA - SUNIL K KUMBHAT
 COALspot.com - The Govt of India has passed long pending Mines & Minerals (Regulation and Development) Bill, 2011, which seeks to replace 1957 act governing mining sector .The bill is now subject to final approval by Indian Parliament.
Indian New Mining Bill
This landmark draft bill that allows local people to get the financial benefits of mining activities. Bill smoothens land acquisitions through higher compensation to people displaced and simplifies relief and rehabilitation issues.
Inadequate compensation and the fear of loss of livelihood have often lead to violent protests by people displaced by mining and related industries, blocking acquisitions of land for several upcoming Mega projects.
The bill, requires coal mining companies to pay 26 per cent of their Profit after Tax to “district mineral foundations” (DMFs), to the district administrations. Funds collected by district collectors will be spent on development projects for the locals, mainly tribal communities residing in the mining areas. In the case of non-coal miners 100 % payment equivalent to royalty required to be paid to state government to affected persons.
If the bill is enacted (which is a big question mark), an estimated amount of US$ 2.04 billion (approx) will be generated per year from miners and an average amount of US$ 36.75 to $ 40.84 Million will be distributed among District Mining Foundations of 60 mineral rich districts. Undoubtedly, it’s a landmark move, to provide justice to scores of tribals who have lost and continue to lose, their land and livelihood across the country due to mining activities.
It is expected that this bill be strong enough to crush the biggest devil of all - the ill-legal mining.
The Bill addresses the burning issue of illegal mining, as it provides for setting up a regulatory authority (National Mining Regulatory Development Authority) to govern the sector. It will have powers to investigate and prosecute the offenders. The authority would also be empowered to look into the cases of organised illegal mining.
This move may not attract private investment in the mining sector, which is badly needed. The mining activity will come down so also production, which Indian economy cannot afford.
The move is all set to push down profits of major mining and power companies, mainly Coal Indian Ltd. Coal India, which will be hit the most as it will have to share 26% of its profit, which means lesser funds available for further mine development for growth, higher production, and distribution of dividends.
Coal India will be left with no Choice but to pass the burden to its customers.
Environmental Consciousness
The environmental impact of mining operations in India is under sharp scrutiny than many other countries. Environmental consciousness is increasing in India.
If environmental issues & challenges are left unmitigated, it will inevitably affect the poorest, rendering trade unsustainable. The moot point is how to ensure the benefits of trade percolate down to the bottom. There is a worldwide increase in globalised economic activity, huge environmental degradation and widening income inequality. So achieving sustainable development will critically depend on proactive resolution of the issues at domestic and international levels.
Never before India has such a high demand for coal, so also environmental consciousness been so high. Both are legitimate & serious issues But the solution is not to clamp down on coal production. India’s soaring energy need is vital for its industrial growth.
India's increasing energy needs are being hampered by regulatory delays for coal mining projects. Sometime back Govt of India (Environment and Forests Ministry) announced many Coal fields as “NO –GO” zones, which is seriously effecting Coal mining projects and Coal production.
In last 4-5 few years there is huge demand of thermal Coal and considering the planned Capacity building in Energy sector there would be hue and cry for Coal demand unless there is substantial increase of Coal Production in India.
Although India is considered as fifth-largest coal reserves in the world much of it is under protected forests and so mining projects face fierce environmental scrutiny.
There is so much hue and cries over the forest conservation. Coal is nature's gift & treasure and coal mines can’t be shifted to another area due to regulatory issues. There is a urgent need to re-examine the regulations and policies associated with exploration and production. Various government regulations concerning forestry and environmental restrictions are hindering mine development. Unless such bottlenecks are addressed, growth in domestic coal production will not match the higher demand.
Independent Regulator
The long term growth of the coal sector in India requires a confident and renewed mindset in developing coal resources through decontrol of the Coal sector, establishment of an independent regulator.
The time has come for Govt of India to establish technically-competent and independent regulators for coal, iron ore and other minerals. The regulators should draw up the necessary regulations and enforcing them strictly, de-politicise the sector and minimise violations of environmental laws and the rights of Local peoples.
Government thru its regulator should ensure that its policy framework attracts large, organised, technologically well-equipped and socially - and environmentally-conscious mining companies which are more susceptible to public pressure and less prone to corrupt and illegal business operating practices. Such companies could effectively develop those mineral reserves which lie either under forest cover or lands populated by local peoples without causing environmental or social damage.
The regulator will have the responsibility of allocating coal mines, price fixation and revision; and performance standards-setting and enforcement, pricing of coal washing, washed coal and by-products generated during the process among other things.
The magnitude of growth in power generation in India will necessarily mean that coal demand will remain very strong. Coal will remain life line for Indian economy for coming many decades till identifying an alternative source that can match coal in its accessibility, availability and affordability in the context of scale of capacity addition required in India .
Ban on Export of Unprocessed Coal from Indonesia
Recently Govt of Indonesia announced its plan to ban the export of unprocessed and unrefined Coal / Mining products from January 2014.
In its current form, the Draft Value Added Regulation envisages that, starting from January 2014, it will no longer be possible to export Coal from Indonesia having calorific value of 5700 kcal/kg GAD or below.
The proposed ban on exports of coal under the 5,700-kcal/kg will change the dynamics of the global thermal coal market, which has seen spiraling demand from China and India. Such a ban will have a substantial impact on the thermal coal market, as large amounts of low-quality coal from Indonesia are exported to India and China.
Coal quality of 4500 and 5,700 kcal/kg, constitutes a significant portion of exports out of Indonesia and, considering the country accounts for about 30 per cent of the global thermal coal supply, an export ban could reduce worldwide supplies by at least 10-15 per cent.
India is already one of the largest buyers of coal from Indonesia, and continue to maintain this position considering the growth in domestic demand and stagnating production of major miners such as Coal India Ltd. There will be an overall impact on the Indian power sector, as currently about 60 per cent of the total thermal coal imports are coming from Indonesia.
The Draft Regulation raises many challenging issues including, most importantly, how appropriate and realistic is a tough domestic processing and refining obligation in a country like Indonesia. The 5700 kcal/kg GAD minimum upgrading requirement only makes sense if, by 2014, coal upgrading will be a proven technology, widely available to all Indonesian producers of low grade coal.
In the absence of widespread coal upgrading cost effective technology, this could prevent the export from Indonesia of up to 150-175 million metric tons of low grade coal and Govt’s true policy objectives behind the proposed Draft Value Added Regulation requires detailed & critical analysis.
Role of Indonesia
As the situation stands today, India could become the world’s biggest thermal coal importer by 2015 and Indonesia would be one of the Countries to take care of bulk of coal requirement.
India is today one of the fastest growing economies and also has a shortage of power supply. Indonesia is one of the peaceful countries with huge natural resources and exporting coal to many countries for use in power plants for generating energy but it is paradoxical that Indonesia is short of energy. Many Indian companies are capable of sharing power technology and setting up mega power plants in Indonesia
Indonesian private companies can buy equity stakes in India’s power plants in exchange for long-term coal supply. Since India is today one of the fastest growing economies and also has a shortage of power supply then such deals can be beneficial to both parties
Indonesia requires huge investment from foreign investors in infrastructure, Power Generation, Oil & Gas exploration, telecom sector, Port and Rapid transport system. So it is essential to have transparency in all regulations, Legal system and improvement in corporate Governance.
Indonesia's mining industry is undergoing a regulatory overhaul which may weaken the operating health and financial performance of many domestic mining companies.
Besides increased operating uncertainty the new regulations of recent past & proposed may also make the mining industry less attractive to foreign investors. lack of transparency in the legal process and the risk of regulatory duplication and inconsistencies will continue to act as deterrents to substantial investment ,specially foreign direct investments (FDI).
While developed economies struggle with global financial crisis and slowdown of demand, Indonesia (together China and India) could be the consumer market for the future. Similar to China and India, urbanisation is an important driver of Indonesia’s growth. Indonesia is ready to rise in the world economic hierarchy and take its place alongside China and India. Indonesia is now perceived as one of new Asian Tigers , even altering the term of BRIC into BRIIC ( Brazil , Russia , Indonesia , India and China)
Whether BRIC will become BRIIC is yet to be seen. Indonesia is the third fastest growing economy in Asia, behind India and China. It has passed through the economic crisis with firmness unmatched elsewhere in the region and indeed in the world. (cs)
Views expressed herein are personal views of the author and not that of COALspot.com.
If you believe an article violates your rights or the rights of others, please contact us.
|
|
Monday, 10 October 11
MOZAMBIQUE CHANNEL TO BE THE NEW PIRACY HOTSPOT FOR THIS YEAR SAYS MARITIME SECURITY EXPERT - NIKOS ROUSSANOGLOU, HELLENIC SHIPPING
The Mozambique Channel, as well as the entrance to the Persian Gulf, are expected to become some of the new pirate hotspots for piracy, says Richard ...
Sunday, 09 October 11
FREIGHT MARKET ENDED WITH A POSITIVE DIRECTION - VISTAAR
COALspot.com - The market ended with a positive note with all the segments up except for handy size. The biggest gainer was Panamax index up by 11 p ...
Saturday, 08 October 11
INDONESIAN MINER PLANS $167M IPO TO FUEL SUMATRA COAL BOOM - JG
The Jakarta Globe reported that, coal miner Atlas Resources aims to raise as much as Rp 1.5 trillion ($167 million) in an initial public offering to ...
Friday, 07 October 11
$100M FOR EXPANSION INTO KALIMANTAN MINING: AKR
The Jakarta Globe, one of the leading English news paper in Indonesia reported that, AKR Corporindo, a fuel and chemical distributor, has set aside ...
Thursday, 06 October 11
REALM SECURES 51% OF KATINGAN RIA COAL PROJECT IN CENTRAL KALIMANTAN
•Realm secures 51% of PT Katingan Ria Thermal Coal Project in Central Kalimantan
•Realm takes ownership of Kalres Limited
•Acquisit ...
|
|
|
Showing 5041 to 5045 news of total 6871 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
|
|
| |
|
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- VISA Power Limited - India
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- MS Steel International - UAE
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- Planning Commission, India
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- Parliament of New Zealand
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- White Energy Company Limited
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- Economic Council, Georgia
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- PTC India Limited - India
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- Australian Coal Association
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- The University of Queensland
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
|
| |
| |
|
