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, 09 January 20
SUPRAMAX: A NUMBER OF INDONESIAN ROUND TRIPS WERE REPORTED AT BELLOW USD 5,000 PD LEVELS - FEARNLEYS
Capesize The Capesize market has hit new low's in the first week of the new year, with the West Australia route being fixed at USD 6.6 being ...


Wednesday, 08 January 20
WHAT IS BIMCO THINKING ABOUT 2020? - BIMCO
Every year, BIMCO considers what is in store for the shipping industry and for BIMCO in the coming years, while also reflecting on the year gone by ...


Wednesday, 08 January 20
VINACOMIN SETS TO SELL 49 MILLION TONNES OF COAL IN 2020 - VIETNAM NET
The Vietnam National Coal-Mineral Industries Holding Corporation Limited (Vinacomin) has set to sell 49 million tonnes of coal in 2020, a year-on-y ...


Wednesday, 08 January 20
CHINA'S COAL-RICH PROVINCE CUTS 18.95 MLN TONNES OF CAPACITY IN 2019 - XINHUA
North China’s Shanxi Province reduced its coal production capacity by 18.95 million tonnes by closing 18 coal mines in 2019.   A ...


Wednesday, 08 January 20
JANUARY INDONESIAN COAL PRICE REFERENCE SLIPS US$ 0.37 MOM
COALspot.com: The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Indonesia has revised down the benchmark price of Indonesian thermal ...


   240 241 242 243 244   
Showing 1206 to 1210 news of total 6871
News by Category
Popular News
 
Total Members : 28,634
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

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