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, 15 November 13
US COAL PRODUCTION UP 2.59% WEEK ON WEEK
COALspot.com – United States the world’s second largest coal producer, produced approximately 19.8 million short tons (mmst) of coal in ...


Friday, 15 November 13
TAIWAN'S PLASTICS GROUP FORMOSA TO IMPORT 1.37 MILLION TONS OF COAL FOR Q1' 14
COALspot.com: Taiwan's Formosa Plastics Group is inviting bids for total 1.37 million mt of coal for 1Q’ 14 for its various plants in Taiwan, ...


Thursday, 14 November 13
KOMIPO TO BUY 270K MT OF SUB-BITUMINOUS COAL FOR Q2' 14
COALspot.com : Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd. has invited bids through International Open Bidding for 140,000 Metric Tons (MT) of sub-bituminous coal ...


Thursday, 14 November 13
PANAMAX : MARKET SHOULD BE AROUND USD 11500 FOR 1 YEAR - FEARNLEYS AS
Handy The Atlantic market has picked up this week with prompt ships able USG for November dates coming off and chrts need to pay up in order to cov ...


Wednesday, 13 November 13
Y'14 SUB-BIT INDO COAL SWAP MOVING AT SNAIL-SPEED
COALspot.com – Sub-Bit Indonesia coal swap (FOB ) for average Q1’2014  delivery gained 2.95 percept  month on month on Friday ...


   801 802 803 804 805   
Showing 4011 to 4015 news of total 6871
News by Category
Popular News
 
Total Members : 28,616
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

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