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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.
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Wednesday, 01 February 12
2% OF IBPS TOTAL CONCESSION AREA CONTAINS TOTAL COAL RESOURCE OF 56.1 MILLION TON
COALspot.com - PT. Britmindo, a mine consulting firm, has finalized PT. Insani Bara Perkasa (IBP) first JORC (Joint Ore Reserves Committee) res ...
Tuesday, 31 January 12
THERE ARE MANY GOOD REASONS FOR COAL IN GERMANY - DR CIESLIK
COALspot.com - "The year 2011 was again marked by many changes on the markets and energy policies, at times in line with expectations, but at o ...
Tuesday, 31 January 12
DRY BULK MARKET KEEPS FALLING FOR WORST MONTH IN YEARS - NIKOS ROUSSANOGLOU, HELLENIC SHIPPING
The dry bulk market didn't manage to put a halt in its downfall, with the industry's benchmark, the BDI (Baltic Dry Index), posting yet another fa ...
Monday, 30 January 12
CHINA'S HUNGER FOR COAL LEAVES DENT IN PENNSYLVANIA'S SUPPLY - THOMAS LESKIN
With the price of heating oil on the rise, one of Pennsylvania's greatest natural resources - coal - is in high demand, and not just locally.
Et ...
Saturday, 28 January 12
WILL FREIGHT MARKET STABILIZE FROM NEXT WEEK?
COALspot.com - The markets continued to soften with BDI at 663 points down by 15.78 pct closing at 726 points and cape index was down by 5.73 pct cl ...
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- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- PTC India Limited - India
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- Australian Coal Association
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- Parliament of New Zealand
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- Planning Commission, India
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- White Energy Company Limited
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- VISA Power Limited - India
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- Economic Council, Georgia
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- The University of Queensland
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- MS Steel International - UAE
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
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