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, 14 March 14
US, THE WORLD'S SECOND LARGEST COAL PRODUCER MINED 75.3 MMST OF COAL IN FEBRUARY; DOWN 10.88% M-M
COALspot.com – United States the world’s second largest coal producer, produced approximately 18.7 million short tons (mmst) of coal ...


Thursday, 13 March 14
HANDY: THE FAR EAST MARKET IS IN AN UPWARD TREND - FEARNRESEARCH
Handy Atlantic is a bit under pressure for spot tonnage, but the underlying sentiment is positive for the short medium future. 2-3 legs are do ...


Thursday, 13 March 14
MARKET INSIGHT - CHRISTOPHER T. WHITTY
By Christopher T. Whitty Marketing Manager Cotzias Intermodal Shipping Inc. During the last year we have noticed that a fair number of ...


Wednesday, 12 March 14
ADARO ENERGY IMPROVES EFFICIENCY AND GENERATED STRONG EBITDA IN 2013
COALspot.com: PT Adaro Energy Tbk, Indonesia's single largest coal miner posted revenue of US$ 3.28 billion and cost of revenue of US$ 2.54 ...


Wednesday, 12 March 14
DGOMC OF INDONESIA REVISED DOWN THE BENCHMARK PRICES FOR COAL BY 4.26% IN MARCH
COALspot.com - The Ministry of Energy & Mineral Resources of Indonesia has revised down the government's declared coal bench mark price ...


   759 760 761 762 763   
Showing 3801 to 3805 news of total 6871
News by Category
Popular News
 
Total Members : 28,701
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

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