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, 26 February 10
BANPU PROFITS SURGE BY 54% TO RECORD B14BN ON BRISK SALES
Banpu Plc, Asean's largest coal miner, said its earnings surged to a record high of 14.23 billion baht last year, an increase of 54% on the previou ...


Thursday, 25 February 10
INDO / INDIA COAL TRIPS SUPRAS CAN ACHIEVE AROUND MID 10S - FEARNLEYS AS
Handy The  BSI  regained  positive  momentum  exactly  a  week  ago  and  the  Atlantic rema ...


Thursday, 25 February 10
STEEP RISE IN COAL IMPORTS REQUIRED TO POWER INDIA - MONEYLIFE
The power ministry has estimated coal imports of 48 million tonnes in FY10-11, sharply higher than the expected imports of 28mt in the current fisca ...


Wednesday, 24 February 10
CHINA IMPORTED 8.81 MLN TONS OF INDONESIAN COAL IN JANUARY 2010
COALspot.com: Indonesia, the world largest coal exporter, exported 24.38 million tons of coal last month, compared with 27.46 million tons in a ...


Tuesday, 23 February 10
TRENDS..... DRY BULK MARKET .... TRENDS
The dry bulk market was pulled along by the Capes this week, as fresh enquiry breathed temporary life back into the market. Short period rates also ...


   1193 1194 1195 1196 1197   
Showing 5971 to 5975 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 ...

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