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

Friday, 15 May 09
INDIKA EXPECTS TO INCREASE COAL PRODUCTION BY 12.68% IN 2010 - THE JAKARTA POST
ENERGY and infrastructure company PT Indika Energy, the parent company of Indonesia's third largest coal producer PT Kideco Jaya Agung, expects its ...


Thursday, 14 May 09
INDONESIA 2009 COAL OUTPUT REVISED DOWN - REUTERS
* Indonesia coal output seen at 240 million tonnes in 2009 * Coal exports down 11.2 pct to 44.79 mln tonnes in Q1 2009 * Production down 1.4 pct t ...


Thursday, 14 May 09
PAKISTAN WILL IMPORT 3.2 MILLION TON OF COAL IN 2009 - SEATRADE
COALspot.com (Pakistan) - SEATRADE Group of pakistan a single largest imported coal supplier in Pakistan, forecasting Pakistan steam coal imports wi ...


Wednesday, 13 May 09
ADARO, ITM EXPECT COAL GROWTH IN 2009
Adaro, which has a market capitalization of $3.64 billion, sells to 48 customers in 18 countries worldwide, including power utilities Thai Power and ...


Wednesday, 13 May 09
COAL SUPPLY MAY BE VASTLY OVERESTIMATED - ABC SCIENCE
The world's coal supply suggests reserves may be vastly overestimated and we could be facing an unprecedented global energy crisis, according to a ...


   1349 1350 1351 1352 1353   
Showing 6751 to 6755 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 ...

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