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, 20 April 17
CHINA'S IMPORT OF IRON ORE TO PROPEL DRY BULK SHIPPING DEMAND IN 2017 - PETER SAND
China's import of iron ore will continue to be a key driver for the demand growth in 2017 for the dry bulk shipping industry, alongside shippin ...


Monday, 17 April 17
THE PANAMAX INDEX (BPI) ROSE (12.89%) WEEK OVER WEEK
COALspot.com: The Freight market was firm, week over a week as all segments show a positive upward trend this past week. The Baltic Exchange, ...


Monday, 17 April 17
U.S. WEEKLY COAL OUTPUT FELL 5% WEEK OVER WEEK - EIA
COALspot.com – U.S., the world’s second largest coal producers have produced approximately totaled an estimated 13.8 million short tons ...


Thursday, 13 April 17
OPEC OVER-DELIVERS ON OIL CUTS, BUT SEES RIVALS' OUTPUT RISING
Crude Oil Price Movements The OPEC Reference Basket averaged $50.32/b in March, representing a decline of 5.7% from the previous month. Crude fut ...


Wednesday, 12 April 17
THE PORT OF NEWCASTLE SHIPPED 13.791 MILLION TONS OF COAL IN MARCH 2017
COALspot.com: The Port of Newcastle, Australia’s major trading ports and the world’s largest coal export ports has shipped $AU 1,688.5 ...


   413 414 415 416 417   
Showing 2071 to 2075 news of total 6871
News by Category
Popular News
 
Total Members : 28,619
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

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