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Wednesday, 20 November 19
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENTS IN COMMERCIAL COAL MINING IN INDIA? - DIPESH DIPU
 In August 2019, Government of India announced its approval for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for coal mining, processing and sale. Not that FDI in coal mining sector was new, but novelty in that was that government now permitted foreign ownership of coal mines for commercial sale of coal produced from such mines. He justifications provided by government sources included need for competition in a sector that has been traditionally dominated by government-owned companies Coal India Limited and Singareni Collieries Company Limited; need for enhanced production as here has been shortfall in meeting demand; and, need for newer technologies that may bring in sustainability to coal mining. These indeed are commendable objectives and opening up the sector for foreign participation may certainly be considered a step in the right direction. However, public policy needs to be grounded in realism, and the reality of attractiveness of commercial coal mining in India does not bode well for foreign participation.
The response of government-owned companies for coal blocks on offer for allotment for commercial coal mining was announced in early August 2019 provides the evidence. Nine coal blocks were put on offer for sale of coal in markets and the eligibility for these were restricted to government-owned companies including the state government-owned ones. There were, however, only three coal blocks[1] that received applications by NMDC Limited, Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation and Madhya Pradesh State Mining Corporation. This lukewarm response may indicate towards the market sentiments for commercial coal mining in India. It must also be considered here that the coal blocks for allotment for government-owned companies do not have the two-stage auction based bidding for winning the blocks and, thus, the pay-out required to win these coal blocks may be lower in comparison to coal blocks put out for auctions. So, even with lower additional pay-out to government in the form of premium the coal blocks have not found many takers. There may be several underlying economic reasons, which are amplified for foreign participants, and thus, require consideration to evaluate if this approval for FDI in commercial coal mining would have any impact and if it would meet its stated objectives.
The first and the foremost is the economic feasibility of these mines. The foreign, and indeed any private company, would have to participate in auction process for winning a coal block, and commit to a competitive premium to access the resources. This has been an impediment for private sector participation in India, given the evidence of coal blocks awarded for captive consumption in power and non-regulated sectors that include cement, steel and other approved end users. There seems to be some sanity dawning on participants on these auction with every successive rounds of auction, seen from the lower winning premiums, and hence, it may be expected that the trend may continue. Nonetheless, the premium will certainly erode the margins for commercial miners, the extent of this erosion would be a function of degree of competition for the coal blocks. The margins are also likely to be uncertain in view of the price volatility of coal, which in Indian market is pegged with CIL price and a certain premium that reflects typically the discount that IL prices tend to have over energy-equivalent international prices. This uncertainty of prices is likely to be confounded by the uncertainty in demand-supply gap that these commercial miners are required to fulfil. There has been a shortfall in supply in the recent past, evident from the rise in coal imports in the last two years even with the stated objective of the government to reduce coal imports. This may present itself as an opportunity. However, the question is whether this shortfall is likely to sustain, and thus, create a marketplace for commercial miners. With a slump in thermal power generation and nearly absent pipeline of new coal based projects, this assumption may be quite a big one to make and decide in favour of making foreign direct investment in Indian coal mining.
Other important risks pertain to project execution. There have been several impediments in coal mining project implementations, such as procurement of licenses and permits, acquisition of land and rehabilitation and resettlement of project affected people. These, apart from the procedural challenges, involve risk of reputation. Business practices on all these accounts in mining sector have often been marred with controversies and have led to perceptions of externalities in these processes having significant influence on the outcomes. Foreign participants in Indian mining have been wary of these, and hence, have had little success to show even though they have had offices and a few exploration and contract mining projects in India. Apart from reputation, the risks in procurement of licenses and land acquisition create the risks of project delays, which may then translate into cost escalations, thereby impacting project economics. Coal mining projects may have such challenges in attracting foreign direct investment.
There are challenges of talent shortage and financing as well. Innovative technologies that the foreign miners are likely to bring in India will require high quality geo-statisticians, geologists, mine planners and mining engineers. India does produce graduates in these areas of study but quantities do no necessarily reflect quality, which are further compounded by the brain drain of talent into other industries, primarily, information technology. Mining industry in general, and coal mining in particular, has not been able to retain relent in the last decade or so, with advent of opportunities for the smart geoscientists and engineers in alternate industries. Foreign mining companies may find this crippling.
There are challenges in financing too. Coal mining projects may have been good candidates for resource-based financing, but that has not happened on account of several factors, not the least of those being dominance of government-owned companies priding themselves on debt-free balance sheets, and the quality of geological information that may be inferior to global standards. The market for debt for coal mining then often reduces itself to equipment financing with the equipment being securitised to the lenders. Globally preferred model of equipment leasing is still in its relatively early stages of comprehension and acceptance in Indian mining. With limited options of raising finances, the higher degree of equity investments may also be a deterrent for foreign investors as the may have comparable projects competing for scarce capital.
Coal mining industry has been on a downward spiral globally. Foreign large miners have divested or are divesting their stakes in coal projects. Global bankers have committed themselves to not financing coal and coal based power projects. Insurance companies are shying away from coal projects too. The ecosystem for coal mining project execution is dying. Epitaphs are being written on coal and its demise is predicted by governments, investors and policy analysts wold over. But for the coal addiction of Asia, China and India in particular, the demise may have been sooner. Under such gloomy outlook for the industry, with coal mining companies filing for bankruptcies frequently, it would be tough to get these foreign companies to look at Indian destinations favourably. An industry staring at terminal decline may not witness new investors, and old ones that may have been facing severe challenges in their home countries to look out for opportunities in India.
Optimism at this point of time of foreign miners participating in Indian coal mining sector, that presents a challenging business environment, may be misplaced. Only when the government calls for applications for coal blocks for sale of coal with permitted participation for foreign direct investment that the final picture shall emerge.
By Dipesh Dipu
Energy, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Expert
This article originaly published on economictimes and Linkedin
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Saturday, 16 November 19
LIFE AFTER FOSSIL FUELS: THE DAYS OF OIL AND COAL TRANSPORTATION ARE NUMBERED - BALTIC EXCHANGE
With the world fiercely focused on a decarbonised future, fossil fuel movers and traders might rightly be reconsidering their future. But cast a wi ...
Saturday, 16 November 19
OIL MARKET REPORT: PAUSING TO REFLECT - IEA
Global oil demand in 3Q19 increased by 1.1 mb/d year-on-year (y-o-y), more than double the 435 kb/d seen in 2Q19. China’s demand increased by ...
Friday, 15 November 19
RISING ENERGY DEMAND IN SOUTHEAST ASIA TO BE MET AND SUPPORTED BY COAL - WORLD COAL
Last week the International Energy Agency (IEA) released its semi-annual Southeast Asia Energy Outlook report which outlines the latest insights in ...
Thursday, 14 November 19
EIA EXPECTS U.S. STEAM COAL EXPORTS TO FACE INCREASING COMPETITION FROM EASTERN EUROPEAN SOURCES
EIA expects total U.S. coal production in 2019 to total 698 million short tons (MMst), an 8% decrease from the 2018 level of 756 MMst. The decline ...
Wednesday, 13 November 19
INDONESIAN NOVEMBER COAL PRICE REFERENCE LOGS FIRST GAIN SINCE AUGUST
COALspot.com: The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Indonesia has revised up the benchmark price of Indonesian thermal co ...
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- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- Australian Coal Association
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- Parliament of New Zealand
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Planning Commission, India
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- The University of Queensland
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- White Energy Company Limited
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- MS Steel International - UAE
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- Economic Council, Georgia
- PTC India Limited - India
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- VISA Power Limited - India
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
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