This is Very Interesting concerning Indonesian coal...
Indonesian Coal Prices Seen Rising on India’s Monsoon Demand
Source : Bloomberg, Friday, 12 April 2013
Prices of power-station coal in Indonesia, the world’s biggest exporter of the fuel, may gain in coming weeks as Indian buyers step up purchases.
India is likely to increase stockpiles for the monsoon season, which normally runs from June to September, according to three out of five traders in a Bloomberg New survey. Heavy rains can hamper shipments and reduce coal quality.
Prices increased last week, according to the survey. Indonesian bituminous grade with a calorific value of 5,800 kilocalories a kilogram and as much as 2 percent sulfur, averaged $71.75 a metric ton in the week ended April 5, according to the median forecast of five traders surveyed by Bloomberg this week. It rose from $70 a ton in a week earlier.
Indonesian sub-bituminous coal with a heating value of 4,500 kilocalories a kilogram and maximum 1 percent sulfur averaged $52 a ton in the same week, up from $48.68 previous week, according to the survey. Coal with a calorific value of 4,000 kilocalories a kilogram and 0.5 percent sulfur averaged $40 a ton, rising from $39.81 a ton in a week earlier, the survey showed.
Power-station coal at the Australian port of Newcastle, the benchmark grade for Asia, fell $1.05 to $86.75 in the week ended April 5, according to IHS McCloskey, a Petersfield, England- based data provider.
Indonesian coal
All Indonesian prices are on a gross-as-received and free- on-board basis at Kalimantan or Sumatra, Indonesia’s two main coal-producing regions. They represent cargoes loaded on Supramax vessels, which can carry about 50,000 tons. Actual prices may vary by grade, depending on moisture, ash and sulfur contents, loading point and rate.
About 60 percent of Indonesia’s coal is classified as sub- bituminous. Higher moisture levels and a lower carbon content reduce sub-bit’s heating value compared with better quality stock. It has fewer than 6,100 kilocalories per kilogram, according to the Indonesian energy ministry.
Aussie Miners Unfazed by Tough Indonesian Laws
Source : Michael Bachelard/Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday, 13 April 2013
Australian mining companies are flocking to Indonesia to do business despite a slew of laws in the past 12 months making the country less attractive to investors.
Australian trade and investment commissioner Julianne Merriman said this week that 45 ASX-listed mining companies now had an interest in 172 projects in Indonesia, up from 38 companies and 140 projects a year ago.
During that 12 months, the Indonesian government frightened international investors by imposing new regulations that force mining companies to sell down their ownership to 49 per cent after 10 years of production, and for all metals miners to smelt their products onshore by next year.
The laws prompted fears of a capital flight from the resource-rich country.
"But we haven't seen evidence of wholesale or even partial withdrawal by Australians," senior trade commissioner Kym Hewett said.
Australian mining companies were "pretty experienced" in dealing with governments around the world, he said, and had apparently decided, "you've just got to tough it out".
Supporting the wisdom of this approach, Indonesia's Minister for Energy and Mineral Resources, Jero Wacik, said this week he may soften the onshore smelting requirement in the face of the reality that most companies would not be ready next year.
Australia's ambassador Greg Moriarty said, "We welcome any indication of flexibility on the part of the Indonesian government".
Australian investment in Indonesia across all industries has now reached $5.5 billion and two-way trade in goods and services is worth $15 billion, up 12 per cent over the past year.
Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Prime Minister Julia Gillard called last year for a stronger emphasis on business links between the countries.
Mr Moriarty said that in Australia's lobbying of Indonesian officials, he always emphasised regulatory certainty.
"What we say … is that it's very important that you continue to attract investment from high-quality companies, and we also said that Australian companies are looking for greater certainty in terms of the regulatory environment, because regulatory certainty provides an environment where the right type of companies can make long-term investment decisions."
The other bugbear for businesses investing in Indonesia - the sometimes radically different interpretations of laws in the autonomous regions - was not always a disadvantage, Mr Moriarty said.
"The regional autonomy system in Indonesia is quite complex, but a number of Australian mining companies have told us that they are very positive about their engagement with certain provinces," he said.
The Australian government's annual Ozmine conference, which Mr Jero will open in Jakarta next week, has attracted 80 exhibitors, almost two-thirds of whom are new to the exhibition.
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