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

Saturday, 04 July 09
S. AFRICA'S RICHARDS BAY TO CAP NEW COAL VOLUMES, MININGMX SAYS
South Africa’s Richards Bay Coal Terminal is proposing restrictions on the quotas it awards to coal exporters from the so-called Phase 5 expansi ...


Saturday, 04 July 09
DALRYMPLE BAY COAL TERMINAL EXPANSION COMPLETE
BABCOCK & Brown Infrastructure has completed expansion of the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal (DBCT) near Mackay, Queensland. The terminal is now ...


Friday, 03 July 09
CHINA SHENHUA TO DOUBLE COAL CAPACITY BY 2014-PAPER
China Shenhua Energy Co Ltd plans to double its annual coal production capacity by 2014 from this year's level, the China Securities Journal report ...


Friday, 03 July 09
UKRAINE CUTS COAL PRODUCTION 9.3 PERCENT IN H1
Ukraine reduced coal production approximately 9.3%, or by 3.673 million tonnes, to 35.879 million tonnes in the first half of 2009 compared to the s ...


Thursday, 02 July 09
PETCOKE BOOMS AS CEMENT MAKERS TRY TO REPLACE COAL
* Cement makers led by Asia chase petcoke to replace coal * Petcoke prices up $10/T Feb-Jun, set to rise further * Domestic U.S. petcoke demand ma ...


   1325 1326 1327 1328 1329   
Showing 6631 to 6635 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 ...

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