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

Monday, 28 September 09
TATA POWER SCOUTS FOR COAL BLOCKS ABROAD
Business Standard reported that, private power producer Tata Power is scouting for coal mines abroad, including Australia and Mozambique, to meet de ...


Saturday, 26 September 09
THE INDIA / FAR EAST SEEMS WILL BE FIRM NEXT WEEK - VISTAAR
COALspot.com (Singapore): The dry bulk market was soft this week and the BDI dropped by almost 7 pct to 2,183 points. The cape size index dropped by ...


Saturday, 26 September 09
GSECL PLANS TO PROCURE 15 LAKH (1.5 MILLION) MT OF IMPORTED COAL
Business Standard reported that, State-run power generation company, Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Ltd (GSECL) intends to procure 15 lakh (1 ...


Saturday, 26 September 09
SAIL TO SET UP TWO SLAG-BASED CEMENT MANUFACTURING UNITS
Rediff Business reported that, Government-owned Steel Authority of India Ltd, the country's largest steel producer, is looking to set up two greenf ...


Friday, 25 September 09
INDONESIA STOCK EXCHANGE EXAMINES BUMI DEAL WITH CHINESE SOVEREIGN WEALTH FUND
The Jakarta globe reported that, The Indonesia Stock Exchange is looking into the $1.9 billion financing deal between PT Bumi Resources, the country ...


   1277 1278 1279 1280 1281   
Showing 6391 to 6395 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 ...

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