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, 28 September 11
ATLAS RESOURCES TO SELL 25% STAKE IN IPO - INSIDER STORIES
Insider Stories reported that, coal producer PT Atlas Resources Tbk, that is controlled by Indonesian businessman Andre Abdi, plans to sell 783.33 m ...


Tuesday, 27 September 11
A STRONG REBOUND FOR THE CAPE MARKET - BRS
A strong rebound for the Cape market, as cargoes continued to flow into the market and tonnage remained tight in the Atlantic, according to Barry Ro ...


Tuesday, 27 September 11
INTRACO SEALS US$25.3 MIO ORDER - INSIDER STORIES
Insider Stories reported that, Heavy equipment distributor PT Intraco Penta Tbk (INTA) obtained a US$25.3 million order on hand of heavy equipments ...


Sunday, 25 September 11
THE CHARTER RATES FOR INDONESIA TO INDIA WAS FIRM - VISTAAR
COALspot.com - The freight market moved up sharply with the cape Index up by 11 pct  pushing the BDI by almost 6 pct and closing at 1,920 point ...


Saturday, 24 September 11
GOVT PLANS TO RENEGOTIATE ALL CONTRACTS INCLUDING FREEPORT - JP
The Jakarta Post reported that, the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry has confirmed plans to renegotiate all mining contracts including those wi ...


   1011 1012 1013 1014 1015   
Showing 5061 to 5065 news of total 6871
News by Category
Popular News
 
Total Members : 28,619
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

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