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

Thursday, 04 June 20
CHINA'S BENCHMARK POWER COAL PRICE EDGES UP - XINHUA
China’s benchmark power coal price rose slightly during the past week.   The Bohai-Rim Steam-Coal Price Index (BSPI), a gauge of ...


Thursday, 04 June 20
DON'T FORGET THE REAL PURPOSE OF RISK ASSESSMENTS - GARD
KNOWLEDGE TO ELEVATE When doing a risk assessment, we often overcomplicate it and forget its real purpose. Rather than ensuring that crew ...


Wednesday, 03 June 20
MARKET INSIGHT - INTERMODAL
Once again shipping is about to venture into uncharted waters and before the challenges of the past decade are forgotten, shipowners will have to o ...


Tuesday, 02 June 20
KOSPO LOOKING FOR 80000 MT OF 4200 NCV COAL FOR JULY
COALspot.com: Korea Southern Power Co., Ltd. (KOSPO) has issued an International tender for 80,000 Metric Tons (MT) 4200 NCV coal for 12 - 21, July ...


Tuesday, 02 June 20
INDONESIAN COAL MINER BUMI RESOURCES Q1 OUTPUT UP 5% - REUTERS
Indonesia’s largest coal miner Bumi Resources posted a 5% increase in first-quarter output at 20.8 million tonnes, the company said in a stat ...


   185 186 187 188 189   
Showing 931 to 935 news of total 6871
News by Category
Popular News
 
Total Members : 28,706
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

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