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, 23 September 21
RECORD-HIGH GAS PRICES AFFECT MANY EUROPEAN CORPORATE SECTORS - FITCH RATINGS
Record-high natural gas prices are putting pressure on supply chains of many European corporate sectors, including non-integrated energy suppliers, ...


Wednesday, 22 September 21
MARKET INSIGHT - INTERMODAL
The unfolding last week of a trilateral defence pact between the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom (AUKUS) envisages a wide range of col ...


Tuesday, 21 September 21
CHINESE COAL IMPORTS FROM AUSTRALIA DROP 98.6% AS RESTRICTIONS BITE - BIMCO
In the first seven months of the year Chinese coal imports from Australia have totalled just 780,000 tonnes as Chinese restrictions on Australian c ...


Tuesday, 21 September 21
CHINA'S COAL OUTPUT RESUMES GROWTH IN AUGUST - XINHUA
China’s raw coal output rose 0.8 percent year on year to 340 million tonnes last month, official data showed.   The growth rate ...


Wednesday, 15 September 21
MARKET INSIGHT - INTERMODAL
Following the oil price sell off during most of August, partly triggered by oil demand fears amid the delta COVID variant, oil prices have resumed ...


   95 96 97 98 99   
Showing 481 to 485 news of total 6871
News by Category
Popular News
 
Total Members : 28,619
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

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