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, 02 June 09
GOVT FINALIZING DMO MECHANISM, REFERENCE PRICE FOR COAL - THE JAKARTA POST
Indonesia, the world's largest thermal coal exporter, is finalizing regulations on a reference price on coal, on a domestic market obligation (DMO) ...


Tuesday, 02 June 09
CHINA OVERSEAS COAL DEMAND TO STAY BUOYANT-MINERS (REUTERS)
China's demand for overseas coal is expected to stay strong in the second half as long as prices of imported coal maintain a discount to domestic p ...


Tuesday, 02 June 09
INDONESIA'S COAL EXPORTS REACH US$ 3.44 BILLION SO FAR THIS YEAR - TRADINGCHARTS
Indonesia`s coal exports in the January-April 2009 period increased by 21.31 per cent to US$3.44 billion compared to US$2.83 billion in the same per ...


Tuesday, 02 June 09
INDONESIA'S BUKIT ASAM AGREES HIGHER COAL PRICES - REUTERS
Indonesian state coal miner PT Bukit Asam Tbk said it has agreed coal prices for two power plants owned by state electricity firm PT Perusahaan List ...


Tuesday, 02 June 09
ADARO MAY RAISE COAL SALES TO CHINA, INDIA PLANTS - THE JAKARTA GLOBE
PT Adaro Energy, the country’s second-largest coal producer, may increase sales of power-plant coal to China and India on signs of a global ec ...


   1342 1343 1344 1345 1346   
Showing 6716 to 6720 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 ...

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