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

Tuesday, 24 January 12
BUKIT ASAM FY11 NET PROFIT SURGES 50% - INSIDER STORIES
Insider Stories reported that, the state-controlled PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) estimated to book Rp3 trillion (approximately US$ 335,570,469) net prof ...


Sunday, 22 January 12
FREIGHT MARKET DROPPED TO THE LOWEST LEVEL SINCE 2008
COALspot.com - "The markets continued to soften almost reaching 2008 levels breaking the 1,000 point mark", said Capt. Reddy of Vistaar Sh ...


Saturday, 21 January 12
ASIAS PREMIER COMPREHENSIVE OPEN CUT MINING CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 2012
As the only such conference in the region for miners and service providers, IBC Asia’s Open Cut Mine Planning & Operational Excellence con ...


Saturday, 21 January 12
COAL MARKETS CELEBRATES A DECADE OF BRINGING BUYERS & SELLERS TOGETHER
In 2012, IBC Asia’s premier Coal Markets conference series – Asia’s only globally focused coal import, export and supply chain eve ...


Saturday, 21 January 12
SAMIN TAN COMPLETES BUMI PLC TAKEOVER - INSIDER STORIES
Insider Stories reported that, Indonesian coking coal miner PT Borneo Lumbung Energi & Metal Tbk (BORN), that is controlled by stellar businessm ...


   974 975 976 977 978   
Showing 4876 to 4880 news of total 6871
News by Category
Popular News
 
Total Members : 28,624
Member
Panelist
User ID
Password
Remember Me
By logging on you accept our TERMS OF USE.
Free
Register
Forgot Password
 
Our Members Are From ...

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