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, 30 September 09
COKING COAL PRICES MAY TOUCH $200/TN IN 2010-11
Business Standard reported that, Driven by surge in imports of coking coal by China, growth in Japanese steel output and signs of recovery in the In ...


Wednesday, 30 September 09
PURNOMO BIDS 'GOODBYE' TO ENERGY MINISTRY
The Jakarta globe reported that, In what could be construed as a resignation speech from a government official — but perhaps wasn’t &mda ...


Tuesday, 29 September 09
MINING AND ENERGY DAY 2009
The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Purnomo Yusgiantoro led the ceremony marking 2009 Mining and Energy Day celebrations, held at the Depa ...


Tuesday, 29 September 09
BUKIT ASAM REDUCES ITS SALES TARGET
Tempo Interactive reported that, PT Tambang Batubara Bukit Asam Tbk has decided to reduce its sales target this year from 14.5 million tons of coal ...


Monday, 28 September 09
INDONESIA UNLIKELY TO PASS NEW MINING RULES IN 2009
Reuters reported that, Indonesia is unlikely to complete final regulations attached to a new mining and coal law this year, an official said on Mond ...


   1276 1277 1278 1279 1280   
Showing 6386 to 6390 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 ...

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