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, 22 March 23
MARKET INSIGHT - INTERMODAL
The crude tanker market continues to gather momentum as we head towards the end of 1Q2023, against a backdrop of strong U.S. exports paired with a ...


Wednesday, 22 March 23
WILL LOWER GAS PRICES SPARK SWITCHING IN EUROPE AND ASIA?
Record high prices devastated demand for gas and LNG across Asia and Europe last year. But with prices falling, companies are starting to re-evalua ...


Monday, 20 March 23
NTPC MULLS 5.4 MILLION TONNES COAL IMPORT IN FIRST HALF OF 2023-24: PTI
State-run power giant NTPC is planning to import around 5.4 million tonnes of coal to meet the supply shortage during the first half 2023-24 fiscal ...


Monday, 20 March 23
S. AFRICA’S EXXARO RESOURCES SAYS COAL PRICES COOLING OFF - REUTERS
South Africa’s Exxaro Resources on Thursday posted a 28% jump in 2022 profit after seeing average coal prices surge more than 150%, but warne ...


Saturday, 18 March 23
RUSSIAN LNG EXPORTS TO EUROPE REMAIN HIGH - VESSELS VALUE
Russian LNG exports to Europe remained at very high levels in February at 3.6 million CBM, following a 13 month high in January of 4.1 million CBM. ...


   23 24 25 26 27   
Showing 121 to 125 news of total 6871
News by Category
Popular News
 
Total Members : 28,701
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

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