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

Friday, 29 July 11
5300 ADB COAL WILL BE AT US$ 60/TON IN THIS QUARTER - RAIN
COALspot.com - PT Resource Alam Indonesia Tbk (KKGI) seeing the average selling price of its coal for the third quarter of this year will increase t ...


Thursday, 28 July 11
PTBA'S COAL PRICES UP IN H1 2011
COALspot.com - Bukit Asam’s coal prices in the second half of 2011 will expected to be higher than the first half of this year, said Sukrisno, ...


Thursday, 28 July 11
RESOURCE ALAM 1H PROFIT SURGES 208 PERCENT
Indonesia's tenth largest coal miner in term of concessions, PT Resource Alam Indonesia (KKGI), part of Rain Group, today reported a skyrocket net ...


Thursday, 28 July 11
DRY BULK MARKET EDGES FURTHER DOWN ON ADDED PRESSURE - NIKOS ROUSSANOGLOU, HELLENIC SHIPPING
The Baltic Dry Index (BDI), an indicator of dry bulk freight rates has reached new lows this week, with yesterday’s session ending further dow ...


Wednesday, 27 July 11
BLACKSTONE TO INVEST INR 5,000 MILLION (APPRX. US$ 111 MILLION) IN VISA POWER
Press Release -  The Blackstone Group (NYSE: BX) today announced that it will be investing INR 5,000 million (c. USD 111 million) in VISA Power ...


   1032 1033 1034 1035 1036   
Showing 5166 to 5170 news of total 6871
News by Category
Popular News
 
Total Members : 28,706
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

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