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

Sunday, 16 April 23
CHINA JUGGLES FOUR MAJOR ECONOMIC CHANGES IN 2023 - WOOD MACKENZIE
Change is afoot in China. Economic growth is slowing, while rising political tensions between China and the US, coupled with global supply chain re ...


Sunday, 16 April 23
CHINA'S MARCH COAL IMPORTS JUMP TO 3-YEAR HIGH - REUTERS
China’s coal imports surged in March to their highest in any month over the past three years as utilities increased purchases on expectations ...


Sunday, 16 April 23
OPEC KEEPS WORLD OIL DEMAND GROWTH OUTLOOK UNCHANGED
The OPEC Reference Basket (ORB) declined in March by $3.43, or 4.2%, m-o-m to average $78.45/b. The ICE Brent first-month contract fell by $4.33, o ...


Sunday, 16 April 23
CHEAPER SPOT LNG PRICES TEMPT SOME ASIAN BUYERS AMID SUPPLY GAINS - REUTERS
Cheaper spot prices for liquefied natural gas (LNG) are luring price-sensitive buyers back in Asia, with China and India recording rising imports i ...


Tuesday, 11 April 23
COAL USE CLIMBS WORLDWIDE DESPITE PROMISES TO SLASH IT - AAP
The burning of coal for electricity, cement, steel and other uses went up in 2022 despite global promises to phase down the fuel that is the bigges ...


   20 21 22 23 24   
Showing 106 to 110 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 ...

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