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, 19 October 22
WHAT WILL THE GAS MARKET LOOK LIKE IN A NET ZERO WORLD? - WOOD MACKENZIE
The global gas and LNG market faces a number of ‘great unknowns’. With the market in turmoil uncertainty abounds – from the scale ...


Wednesday, 19 October 22
MARKET INSIGHT - INTERMODAL
The LNG market remains extremely tight, and as a result adding further pressure on the vessel charter market, which is already stretched due to the ...


Sunday, 16 October 22
COULD A RETURN TO SHALE EXPLORATION BE PART OF THE SOLUTION TO EUROPE'S GAS SUPPLY PROBLEM? - WOOD MACKENZIE
The European gas market is in turmoil. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has shaken things up, triggering a complete rethink of European energy st ...


Thursday, 13 October 22
THERMAL COAL PRICES RETREAT AS WINTER SUPPLY FEARS EASE - REUTERS
The prices of key thermal seaborne coal grades are retreating amid signs that supplies will be sufficient to meet winter demand in both Europe and ...


Thursday, 13 October 22
SPOT COAL BIDDING: CHINESE FIRM WANTS REVISED MECHANISM - BUSINESS RECORDER
Chinese company M/s Huaneng Shandong Ruyi (Pakistan) Energy Limited (HSR) has cautioned National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) that i ...


   40 41 42 43 44   
Showing 206 to 210 news of total 6871
News by Category
Popular News
 
Total Members : 28,617
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

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