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

Friday, 16 September 22
WHEN IS A VESSEL'S INCOME EARNING CAPACITY AT RISK? 'CONTROLLED INCOME CAN BE A KEY OF SUCCESS' - MARASCO MARINE
Managing marine risks is not an easy task, which requires special knowledge and expertise on the subject per se. Customarily, big ship management c ...


Friday, 16 September 22
DRY BULK MARKET: EU’S BAN ON RUSSIAN COAL LIFTS DEMAND DESPITE ECONOMIC HEADWINDS - BIMCO
Highlights – The Baltic Exchange Dry Index (BDI) peaked in late May and has since fallen sharply as lower Chinese demand and adverse glob ...


Friday, 16 September 22
BIMCO EMBARKS ON NEW STANDARD FOR “QUIET ENJOYMENT”
KNOWLEDGE TO ELEVATE   A newly set-up BIMCO drafting team involving a cross-section of shipowners, charterers, financing and leasing i ...


Friday, 16 September 22
INDIAN COAL PRODUCTION TO RISE 150 PER CENT IN 10 YEARS: CENTRE - EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
The Union Ministry of Mines is expecting 150 per cent growth in coal production 10 years down the line as a result of coal reforms that had been us ...


Thursday, 15 September 22
MARKET INSIGHT - INTERMODAL
While the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies agreed on a 100,000 b/d output cut last week, oil flows are in the spotlight ...


   46 47 48 49 50   
Showing 236 to 240 news of total 6871
News by Category
Popular News
 
Total Members : 28,705
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

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