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

Tuesday, 13 October 09
INDIA INTERESTED IN AMERICAN COAL
UPI reported that, Coal India Ltd. in its global expansion efforts is now interested in coal properties in the United States. The Business Standard ...


Tuesday, 13 October 09
RIVERSDALE MAY USE ZAMBEZI RIVER TO TRANSPORT MOZAMBIQUE COAL
Mining Weekly reported that, ASX-listed coal-miner Riversdale Mining would submit a feasibility study and an environmental-impact study (EIS) for it ...


Monday, 12 October 09
INDONESIAN COAL MINER SAYS PLANS IPO IN 2010
Reuters reported that, Indonesian coal miner PT Bhakti Energi Persada plans an initial public offering in the first quarter of 2010 to develop coal ...


Monday, 12 October 09
BISICHI MINING FINALIZES COAL SUPPLY CONTRACT FOR 2010-2012
Small Cap News reported that, Bisichi, the South Africa based coal mining group, has agreed a three year coal supply contract between its principal ...


Monday, 12 October 09
SHANDUKA BUYS SACMH RICHARDS BAY COAL ALLOCATION
* Shanduka Coal takes SACMH 500,000T export space * RBCT must approve any change of ownership Reuters reported that, South Africa's Shanduka Co ...


   1268 1269 1270 1271 1272   
Showing 6346 to 6350 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 ...

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