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Wednesday, 20 November 19
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENTS IN COMMERCIAL COAL MINING IN INDIA? - DIPESH DIPU
 In August 2019, Government of India announced its approval for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for coal mining, processing and sale. Not that FDI in coal mining sector was new, but novelty in that was that government now permitted foreign ownership of coal mines for commercial sale of coal produced from such mines. He justifications provided by government sources included need for competition in a sector that has been traditionally dominated by government-owned companies Coal India Limited and Singareni Collieries Company Limited; need for enhanced production as here has been shortfall in meeting demand; and, need for newer technologies that may bring in sustainability to coal mining. These indeed are commendable objectives and opening up the sector for foreign participation may certainly be considered a step in the right direction. However, public policy needs to be grounded in realism, and the reality of attractiveness of commercial coal mining in India does not bode well for foreign participation.
The response of government-owned companies for coal blocks on offer for allotment for commercial coal mining was announced in early August 2019 provides the evidence. Nine coal blocks were put on offer for sale of coal in markets and the eligibility for these were restricted to government-owned companies including the state government-owned ones. There were, however, only three coal blocks[1] that received applications by NMDC Limited, Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation and Madhya Pradesh State Mining Corporation. This lukewarm response may indicate towards the market sentiments for commercial coal mining in India. It must also be considered here that the coal blocks for allotment for government-owned companies do not have the two-stage auction based bidding for winning the blocks and, thus, the pay-out required to win these coal blocks may be lower in comparison to coal blocks put out for auctions. So, even with lower additional pay-out to government in the form of premium the coal blocks have not found many takers. There may be several underlying economic reasons, which are amplified for foreign participants, and thus, require consideration to evaluate if this approval for FDI in commercial coal mining would have any impact and if it would meet its stated objectives.
The first and the foremost is the economic feasibility of these mines. The foreign, and indeed any private company, would have to participate in auction process for winning a coal block, and commit to a competitive premium to access the resources. This has been an impediment for private sector participation in India, given the evidence of coal blocks awarded for captive consumption in power and non-regulated sectors that include cement, steel and other approved end users. There seems to be some sanity dawning on participants on these auction with every successive rounds of auction, seen from the lower winning premiums, and hence, it may be expected that the trend may continue. Nonetheless, the premium will certainly erode the margins for commercial miners, the extent of this erosion would be a function of degree of competition for the coal blocks. The margins are also likely to be uncertain in view of the price volatility of coal, which in Indian market is pegged with CIL price and a certain premium that reflects typically the discount that IL prices tend to have over energy-equivalent international prices. This uncertainty of prices is likely to be confounded by the uncertainty in demand-supply gap that these commercial miners are required to fulfil. There has been a shortfall in supply in the recent past, evident from the rise in coal imports in the last two years even with the stated objective of the government to reduce coal imports. This may present itself as an opportunity. However, the question is whether this shortfall is likely to sustain, and thus, create a marketplace for commercial miners. With a slump in thermal power generation and nearly absent pipeline of new coal based projects, this assumption may be quite a big one to make and decide in favour of making foreign direct investment in Indian coal mining.
Other important risks pertain to project execution. There have been several impediments in coal mining project implementations, such as procurement of licenses and permits, acquisition of land and rehabilitation and resettlement of project affected people. These, apart from the procedural challenges, involve risk of reputation. Business practices on all these accounts in mining sector have often been marred with controversies and have led to perceptions of externalities in these processes having significant influence on the outcomes. Foreign participants in Indian mining have been wary of these, and hence, have had little success to show even though they have had offices and a few exploration and contract mining projects in India. Apart from reputation, the risks in procurement of licenses and land acquisition create the risks of project delays, which may then translate into cost escalations, thereby impacting project economics. Coal mining projects may have such challenges in attracting foreign direct investment.
There are challenges of talent shortage and financing as well. Innovative technologies that the foreign miners are likely to bring in India will require high quality geo-statisticians, geologists, mine planners and mining engineers. India does produce graduates in these areas of study but quantities do no necessarily reflect quality, which are further compounded by the brain drain of talent into other industries, primarily, information technology. Mining industry in general, and coal mining in particular, has not been able to retain relent in the last decade or so, with advent of opportunities for the smart geoscientists and engineers in alternate industries. Foreign mining companies may find this crippling.
There are challenges in financing too. Coal mining projects may have been good candidates for resource-based financing, but that has not happened on account of several factors, not the least of those being dominance of government-owned companies priding themselves on debt-free balance sheets, and the quality of geological information that may be inferior to global standards. The market for debt for coal mining then often reduces itself to equipment financing with the equipment being securitised to the lenders. Globally preferred model of equipment leasing is still in its relatively early stages of comprehension and acceptance in Indian mining. With limited options of raising finances, the higher degree of equity investments may also be a deterrent for foreign investors as the may have comparable projects competing for scarce capital.
Coal mining industry has been on a downward spiral globally. Foreign large miners have divested or are divesting their stakes in coal projects. Global bankers have committed themselves to not financing coal and coal based power projects. Insurance companies are shying away from coal projects too. The ecosystem for coal mining project execution is dying. Epitaphs are being written on coal and its demise is predicted by governments, investors and policy analysts wold over. But for the coal addiction of Asia, China and India in particular, the demise may have been sooner. Under such gloomy outlook for the industry, with coal mining companies filing for bankruptcies frequently, it would be tough to get these foreign companies to look at Indian destinations favourably. An industry staring at terminal decline may not witness new investors, and old ones that may have been facing severe challenges in their home countries to look out for opportunities in India.
Optimism at this point of time of foreign miners participating in Indian coal mining sector, that presents a challenging business environment, may be misplaced. Only when the government calls for applications for coal blocks for sale of coal with permitted participation for foreign direct investment that the final picture shall emerge.
By Dipesh Dipu
Energy, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Expert
This article originaly published on economictimes and Linkedin
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Wednesday, 12 June 19
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KNOWLEDGE TO ELEVATE
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Capesize
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- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- Parliament of New Zealand
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- Planning Commission, India
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- VISA Power Limited - India
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- Economic Council, Georgia
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- The University of Queensland
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- Australian Coal Association
- White Energy Company Limited
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- PTC India Limited - India
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- MS Steel International - UAE
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
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