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

Thursday, 07 November 13
THE ENERGY INDUSTRY'S RISING WATER CHALLENGE - WOOD MACKENZIE
Water poses a variety of business risks for the energy industry, and could play an influential role in shaping the future energy supply mix, accordi ...


Thursday, 07 November 13
HANDY : INDO/CHINA ROUNDS ARE SEEING BIDS AT AROUND $16K
Handy In the Atlantic we have seen more activity this week with several fixtures being concluded at firm rates. USG/Feast been reported at 30k and ...


Wednesday, 06 November 13
THE BIGGER SIZE SEGMENTS LOST GROUND WHILE SUPRAS AND HANDIES HELD ON TO THEIR GAINS - INTERMODAL
Chartering (Wet: Stable+  / Dry: Stable- ) A mirror image of the week prior for the Dry Bulk market, as once more the bigger size segments los ...


Wednesday, 06 November 13
WILL NEW ORDERS DRIVE THE MARKET DOWN AGAIN ONCE DELIVERIES COMMENCE
"While there are many concerns on whether the new orders will drive the market down again once deliveries commence, the second half of 2013 has ...


Tuesday, 05 November 13
AUSTRALIA'S NEWCASTLE PORT SEES DROP IN COAL EXPORTS W-W
COALspot.com: In the week ended November 4, Power plant and semi-soft coking coal shipments from the port of Newcastle in Queensland, totaled 2.77 m ...


   804 805 806 807 808   
Showing 4026 to 4030 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 ...

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