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

Wednesday, 21 June 23
CHINA'S MAY COAL IMPORTS FROM AUSTRALIA RECOVER TO PRE-BAN LEVELS - REUTERS
Australian coal sales to China increased in May, as trade resumed between them even as overall coal demand weakened against an uncertain macroecono ...


Monday, 19 June 23
DROUGHT-DEPLETED HYDROPOWER DRIVES CHINA TO TURN TO COAL - REUTERS
China has leant hard on coal-fired power plants as well as wind and solar generators to make up for a shortfall in hydroelectric generation as a re ...


Monday, 19 June 23
CHINA COAL OUTPUT UP 4.2 PCT IN MAY - XINHUA
China’s raw coal output posted steady growth in May, official data showed.   The country produced 390 million tonnes of raw coal ...


Wednesday, 24 May 23
AMMONIA-FUELLED BULK CARRIERS WITHIN FIVE YEARS - BALTIC EXCHANGE
Within five years, ships powered by clean ammonia could be a feature on the iron ore trade routes between West Australia and East Asia. A study ...


Tuesday, 23 May 23
CHINA'S APRIL COAL OUTPUT LEAPS 11% ON YEAR, BUT DEMAND DOWNTURN LOOMS - REUTERS
China’s daily coal output in April jumped 11% from the same month a year earlier, boosted by Beijing’s order to increase supply to ensu ...


   18 19 20 21 22   
Showing 96 to 100 news of total 6871
News by Category
Popular News
 
Total Members : 28,617
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

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