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, 15 September 19
SUPRAMAX / ULTRAMAX: MORE STEMS WERE NOTICED GOING TO VIETNAM FROM INDONESIA - BALTIC BRIEFING
Capesize Overall it was a negative week for the Capesize market, with many routes losing ground.  A limited amount of time charter appeare ...


Wednesday, 11 September 19
THE INDONESIAN COAL PRICE REFERENCE FELL HEAVILY IN SEPTEMBER
COALspot.com: The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Indonesia has revised down the benchmark price of Indonesian thermal ...


Wednesday, 11 September 19
SHIPPING MARKET INSIGHT - INTERMODAL
We are going through one of the rare instances where we see optimism building in the dry bulk industry and, as the momentum is still going, the bel ...


Monday, 09 September 19
INDIAN COMPANIES READY TO INVEST IN DEVELOPMENT OF NEW COAL DEPOSITS IN RUSSIA'S YAKUTIA - TASS
Indian metallurgical companies, which received trial batches of coal from Kolmar mining company, are satisfied with the quality of the products and ...


Monday, 09 September 19
COLOMBIA COAL OUTPUT DOWN YEAR-ON-YEAR IN 2ND QUARTER - REUTERS
Colombia, the world’s fifth-largest exporter of coal, produced 18.9 million tonnes of the fuel in the second quarter, down 4.5% from the same ...


   267 268 269 270 271   
Showing 1341 to 1345 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 ...

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