COALspot.com keeps you connected across the coal world

Submit Your Articles
We welcome article submissions from experts in the areas of coal, mining, shipping, etc.

To Submit your article please click here.

International Energy Events


Search News
Latest CoalNews Headlines
Monday, 05 September 11
INDONESIAN COAL BENCHMARK PRICE - ANALYSIS


Analyst : Sunil K Kumbhat
COALspot.com - As a part of the Government’s efforts to stop transfer pricing abuses which have resulted in the loss of production royalties in recent years Govt of Indonesia issued  Regulation No.17 of 2010 entitled "Procedures to Determine the Benchmark Price for Mineral and Coal Sales" .

Apart from  setting out the procedures to determine the benchmark price for the sale of coal and minerals, Regulation  imposes other obligations on mineral and coal producers (that is, the holders of Production Operation IUPs and IUPKs) when making sales.This move has been seen as important as the benchmark Coal price is expected to provide optimum price and help goverment in calculating potential State Revenue. The new regulations will allow the Indonesian government to get the right amount of royalty , and the taxable revenues from the sector will also move up to the correct levels. It will also stop the practice of transfer pricing. The government has put in a strong framework.

The following are some key points highlights the provisions of regulation  and the likely impact it will have on mine owners, including on their sales activities, royalty calculations and administrative obligations:

Obligation to follow benchmark price
Regulation  provides that mineral and coal producers are obliged to sell minerals and coal based on a regulated benchmark price, whether for domestic or export sales.

The benchmark pricing obligation applies to all minerals and coal sales to third parties, including to any affiliate of the mineral and coal producer (which includes any party that has direct ownership in the holder of a Production Operation IUP or a Production Operation IUPK as well as any party that may indirectly influence the decision-making of such holders).

Determination of benchmark price
Regulation  provides that the benchmark price for  minerals and coal will be determined by the Director General of Minerals and Coal (DGMC) .  The benchmark price for non-metallic minerals and rocks will be determined by either the Governor or the Regent/Mayor, as appropriate.

Different methods will be used to determine the benchmark price for different commodities. For metallic minerals, the DGMC will determine the benchmark price for each metallic mineral monthly using a formula that refers to international market prices. For coal, the DGMC will determine separate benchmark prices for metallurgical coal, thermal coal and low rank coal monthly.No formal definition of low rank coal exists , however in the past ;MEMR has referred to low rank coal as any coal with  gross calorific value( ADB Basis) of less than 5100 kca/kg. The benchmark price for metallurgical and thermal coal will use a formula that refers to the average coal prices based on local and international market indices.As a system  government will determine Coal Price Reference (Harga Batubara Acuan or HPA) by averaging the calorie value of coal in four coal price indexes, namely :

1.Newcastle Coal Index,
2.Global Coal Index,
3.Platts and
4.Indonesia Coal Index (ICI).


The first two indexes represented international price, while the last two indexes represent local coal prices. Each coal category has a weight of 25 percent.  The coal category will divided based on coal quality, which is set at 6,322 kcal/kg (arb), moisture content at 8 percent (arb), sulfur content of 0.8 percent (arb), and ash content at 15 percent (arb).

After determining the Coal Price Reference (HBA), the benchmark coal price (HPB) is then determined. There will be 8 benchmark prices category, representing the quality of the coal, starting from 4,200 up to 7,000 kcal/kg.

For that price of coal other than 8 classes of HPB, prices are determined by interpolation approaches or determining HPB based on a certain formula.

Sales of minerals and coal
The benchmark price is set on the basis of the price paid for Coal at the point of Sale by way of FOB Vessel. Sales of metals, ore, concentrate or other intermediary products can be made :

1.Free on Board (FOB) mother vessel or
2.FOB barge basis.
3.Sales can also be made to end users domestically or in the form of Cost Insurance Freight (CIF) or
4.Cost and Freight (C&F).


In calculating the sales price for FOB mother vessel sales for royalty payment purposes, holders of Production Operation IUPs for metallic minerals must refer to the benchmark price. For  sales that are not made FOB mother vessel basis (including FOB barge sales), the benchmark price may be adjusted by adding or subtracting an amount based on certain recognised costs approved by the DGMC.

While the principle of deducting certain costs from the benchmark price for the purpose of royalty calculations would appear to be reasonable, Regulation  leaves open the possibility that there may be costs that could adjust the benchmark price by being added to, rather than being subtracted from, the benchmark price. The circumstances under which costs would be added to the benchmark price are not yet regulated.

Adjustments can include costs incurred for barging, survey, trans-shipment, treatment as well as refinery and/or metal payable and/or insurance costs. For coal, sales are contemplated in the form of FOB mother vessel, FOB barge, within an island to an end user or on a CIF or CF basis. In calculating the sales price, holders of Production Operation IUPs for coal to be sold FOB mother vessel must refer to the benchmark price. Again, for non-FOB mother vessel sales (including FOB barge sales), certain costs may be added or subtracted as approved by the DGMC.

Under the new sales price regime for coal, the production royalty for FOB mother vessel sales will effectively also be imposed on barge transportation and trans-shipment costs (as well as survey and insurance costs), which are not able to be subtracted from the selling price.

Accordingly, all royalties for FOB mother vessel sales are now assessed on the full delivered cost FOB mother vessel without adjustment for costs. Regulation  provides that further details on the procedures to determine the amount of “adjustment costs” will be set out by the DGMC in a separate DGMC regulation.

Benchmark Price for calculation of royalties
For royalty calculations, regulation  provides that for minerals and coal sales made FOB mother vessel basis, the Government will take the higher of the contractually-agreed price or the benchmark price.  On the other hand, for non-FOB mother vessel sales such as mineral or coal sales by way of FOB barge, the production royalties will be calculated using:

• (a) the contracted sales price, if the contracted sales price is higher than the benchmark price, after adding or subtracting the adjustment amount (adjusted benchmark price); or
• (b) the adjusted benchmark price, if the sales price is the same as or lower than the adjusted benchmark price.

Post sales Reporting
Coal producers are required to submit post-sales reports on the sales of their mineral and coal commodities every month, together with supporting information including invoices and bills of lading,quality reports and barging Costs as well as export declarations and surveyor reports for exported commodities. This  new reporting obligations will add significant  administrative burdens to mining companies.

Sale of coal for certain purposes
Coal of certain types (including fine coal, reject coal and coal with certain impurities) for domestic use may be sold below the coal benchmark price, upon approval of the Govt (DGMC) which  will issue separate  regulations regarding what types of coal will fall within this exception.

Similarly, coal to be used for certain purposes in the domestic market may be sold below the coal benchmark price, upon approval of the Govt.

The Govt will issue further regulations on the purposes that will be exempted. Regulation  indicates that coal used for individual needs  or for the development of underdeveloped or poorly developed regions will be exempted from the benchmark pricing requirements.

Impact on existing coal and/or mineral sales contracts


All existing supply contracts ( Both Spot and term Contracts) with Indonesian mining firms will have to be brought in line with this new benchmark regulations by 22nd September 2011. Spot sale contracts must be adjusted by no later than six months after the effective date of Regulation No. 17 (that is, by 22 March 2011).

Term sales contracts must be adjusted by no later than 12 months after the effective date of Regulation No. 17 (that is, by 22 September 2011).

Sanctions
Regulation provides that the Government can impose a range of administrative penalties on mineral and coal producers who fail to comply with the provisions of Regulation.

Penalties range from written warnings, temporary suspension of sales, and ultimately, cancellation of the licences’. Due to the severity of such sanctions, mining companies will need to pay particular notice to the requirement of this new regulation.


Indian Impact
For India, the situation will be aggravated by stagnation in domestic production even as demand has increased. With up to 100,000 MW of capacity addition likely in the 12 th plan period starting next year, more coal-based projects may need to scout overseas for fuel.

Three to five years back, domestic coal production was able to keep pace with the demand from power producers. However in 2010, domestic production has remained at a flat level, while there has been a sudden increase in demand from Indian power companies.

With a substantial part of its imported coal requirement already coming from Indonesia, India’s appetite is expected to grow further. India's coal imports from Indonesia are rising every year. In 2010, it overtook Japan to become the second largest importer of Indonesian coal after China. It is expected that  India may become the biggest importer of Indonesian coal in 2012.

The regulation is likely to increase the price of coal mainly for all Indian Power  Projects  using imported coal from Indonesia. The impact on the tariff of such projects may vary, depending upon the quality of imported coal and fuel mix. All existing supply agreements with Indonesian mining firms will have to be brought in line with this new benchmark by 22nd September 2011. The implementation of this new regulation will adversely impact all existing and future Coal based power plants importing Coal from Indonesia.The new regulations will allow the Indonesian government to get the right amount of royalty , and the taxable revenues from the sector will also move up to the correct levels. It will also stop the practice of transfer pricing. The government has put in a strong framework.

Given the long-term demand fundamentals, current high coal price scenario may continue to squeeze margins (of Indian power producers). This may well be the end of the road for cheap Indonesian coal.

Conclusion
Whilst the intention behind the minimum pricing regulation is to stop transfer pricing abuses which according to Govt, have plagued the Indonesian mining industry( particularly the Coal mining Industry) over recent years, the question is whether this intention has been implemented in a way which is inconsistent with genuine , arms -length commercial practices which exist in the market. (updated on 5 Sept 2011)
Analyst By : Sunil K Kumbhat

The views and opinions / conclusion expressed on this analysis is purely the writers’ own



If you believe an article violates your rights or the rights of others, please contact us.

Recent News

Sunday, 02 March 14
THE FREIGHT MARKET WAS STEADY TO FIRM THIS PAST WEEK - CAPT. REDDY
COALspot.com: The freight market was steady to firm this past week. The BDI was up 7.06 pct and closed at 1258 points and the cape index was also fi ...


Friday, 28 February 14
PTBA TO INCREASE ITS COAL TERMINAL'S LOADING CAPACITY TO 25 MILLION TONS PER ANNUM BY JULY 2014
COALspot.com: PT. Bukit Asam (PTBA), the Indonesian government owned coal miner operates several coal mining units in Sumatera as well as in Kaliman ...


Friday, 28 February 14
U.S PRODUCED 1.9% LESS COAL WEEK ON WEEK
COALspot.com – United States the world’s second largest coal producer, produced approximately 18.8 million short tons (mmst) of coal in ...


Friday, 28 February 14
DRY BULK MARKET SLOWLY BUT STEADILY FINDS ITS FOOTING - NIKOS ROUSSANOGLOU, HELLENIC SHIPPING
The dry bulk market, hit by the low seasonal demand which is a typical characteristic of the first quarter of each year, is beginning to emerge from ...


Thursday, 27 February 14
PANAMAX : MARKET CONTINUED TO DECLINE IN THE ATLANTIC
Handy The Atlantic handy/supra market experienced a downward trend this week but not a dramatic one. TA rates are down around USD 800 w-o-w lead b ...


   764 765 766 767 768   
Showing 3826 to 3830 news of total 6871
News by Category
Popular News
 
Total Members : 28,623
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

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