Monday, 02 Apr 2012
Economic Times reported that Delhi High Court has dismissed the plea of two Australian coal firms, Vale Australia Pty Ltd and AMCI Pty Ltd, against an International Court of Arbitration's order to them for payment of about USD 159 million as damages to the SAIL.
Justice S Muralidhar upheld the March 10th 2011 ICA's arbitral award for payment of over USD 152 million as damages to the Steel Authority of India Ltd with an interest of over USD 6.8 million over it.
The ICA had also asked the two firms to pay additionally 80% of the SAIL's legal costs, including USD 320,000 as expenses and USD 160,000 as costs paid by the Indian public sector company to the tribunal.
The court said that "While it may be possible to argue that another view is also possible, that by itself does not constitute a valid ground for a court to interfere (in a foreign award) under section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act. Consequently, this court is unable to find any error in the quantification of damages by the tribunal. All objections by Vale and AMCI to the award of March 10, 2011 passed by the tribunal are rejected with costs of INR 100,000 each to be paid by them to SAIL within four weeks.”
The dispute between the parties arose when Vale and AMCI failed to meet the SAIL demand of total 1 million tonnes of coking coal in 2007, under a long term agreement of April 23rd 2007 between them. The two companies managed to supply only 246,539 tonnes and a balance of 753,461 tonnes of coking coal remained to be supplied.
The matter was presented for dispute resolution in March 2009 before the ICA, which agreed with SAIL's contention that there was a breach of the LTA by the two Australian companies.
Source - Economic Times
Monday, April 2, 2012
Manila may award bulk of 38 coal projects in 5 months
Monday, 02 Apr 2012
The Philippines received 68 bids for 38 coal exploration projects on Friday and said it could award more than half the contracts within the next five months, as it aimed to cut imports of costly fossil fuels and secure energy supply.
Bidders at the country's fourth, and biggest, tender for prospective coal blocks included Philippine miners Benguet Corp and Semirara Mining Corp., the country's biggest coal producer.
Energy Undersecretary Jose Layug told reporters at the opening of sealed bids for the tender that "We obviously have attracted a lot of investors, and the list includes new parties.”
Mr Layug said that there were no bidders for a few sites. Most of the prospective coal blocks are located on the mineral rich provinces on the southern Mindanao island.
Mr Layug said winning bidders would receive two year contracts to explore for coal and 23 year operating contracts if successful.
Foreign ownership of coal projects in the Philippines is limited to 40%.
The government estimates the Philippines has a total coal resource potential of more than 3 billion tons, mainly thermal coal used for power generation.
Source - www.abs-cbnnews.com
The Philippines received 68 bids for 38 coal exploration projects on Friday and said it could award more than half the contracts within the next five months, as it aimed to cut imports of costly fossil fuels and secure energy supply.
Bidders at the country's fourth, and biggest, tender for prospective coal blocks included Philippine miners Benguet Corp and Semirara Mining Corp., the country's biggest coal producer.
Energy Undersecretary Jose Layug told reporters at the opening of sealed bids for the tender that "We obviously have attracted a lot of investors, and the list includes new parties.”
Mr Layug said that there were no bidders for a few sites. Most of the prospective coal blocks are located on the mineral rich provinces on the southern Mindanao island.
Mr Layug said winning bidders would receive two year contracts to explore for coal and 23 year operating contracts if successful.
Foreign ownership of coal projects in the Philippines is limited to 40%.
The government estimates the Philippines has a total coal resource potential of more than 3 billion tons, mainly thermal coal used for power generation.
Source - www.abs-cbnnews.com
Protest against iron ore operation of Vale in Malaysia
Mon,02 Apr2012
About 100 members of Jaringan Aktivis Alam Sekitar Perak JAASP, an environmental non governmental organization, staged a demonstration against the operation of an iron ore processing company, Vale SA, in Teluk Rubiah, Seri Manjung near here.
They claimed the operation had destroyed the environment in the area.
It is also reported that 4 Socialist Party of Malaysiamembers were detained by the police in Perak on their way to a protest against Vale’s iron ore processing plant in Lumut. They were released an hour later, after police took down their personal details and mobile numbers.
Vale is spending RM 4 billion in the first phase of the project, which will handle 30 million tonnes of iron ore yearly once completed in 2014.
The hub in Lumut, Perak will be able to accommodate Chinamax carriers, which are 400,000-tonne iron ore vessels that will cut freight costs for Vale.
Source - Bernama and The Malaysian Insider
About 100 members of Jaringan Aktivis Alam Sekitar Perak JAASP, an environmental non governmental organization, staged a demonstration against the operation of an iron ore processing company, Vale SA, in Teluk Rubiah, Seri Manjung near here.
They claimed the operation had destroyed the environment in the area.
It is also reported that 4 Socialist Party of Malaysiamembers were detained by the police in Perak on their way to a protest against Vale’s iron ore processing plant in Lumut. They were released an hour later, after police took down their personal details and mobile numbers.
Vale is spending RM 4 billion in the first phase of the project, which will handle 30 million tonnes of iron ore yearly once completed in 2014.
The hub in Lumut, Perak will be able to accommodate Chinamax carriers, which are 400,000-tonne iron ore vessels that will cut freight costs for Vale.
Source - Bernama and The Malaysian Insider
Bangladesh eyeing Indonesia for Coal
Monday, 02 April 2012
The high level executives of Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS) of Bangladesh is visiting Indonesia this week to study on coal sourcing, transportation and handling of coal for coal based thermal power plant in Khulna (660 MW), Chittagong (660 MW) and Maheshkhali (8320 MW LNG and coal combined) under Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB).
The team is planning to study and access of coal handling facilities and transportation system of coal from Indonesia and planning to import 19.5 million metric ton of coal per annum.
“BPDB is in Indonesia this week after visiting Australia to identify potential coal exporters from Indonesia, assess their capabilities and their willingness as well as to identify probable modalities to export coal to Bangladesh”, said Shankar of KIECOAL, who are facilitating BPDB’s visit to Indonesia.
The study team comprising of the officials from the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Power Development. The joint study team will be headed by Tapos Kumar Roy, additional secretary of Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources during Indonesian Visit.
“We are also in touch with several coal producers Indonesia to introduce BPDB,” Shankar added.
The team also planning to visit a coal mine in South Kalimantan prior to leave Indonesia.
(sourced coalspot.com)
If you believe an article violates your rights or the rights of others, please contact us.
The high level executives of Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS) of Bangladesh is visiting Indonesia this week to study on coal sourcing, transportation and handling of coal for coal based thermal power plant in Khulna (660 MW), Chittagong (660 MW) and Maheshkhali (8320 MW LNG and coal combined) under Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB).
The team is planning to study and access of coal handling facilities and transportation system of coal from Indonesia and planning to import 19.5 million metric ton of coal per annum.
“BPDB is in Indonesia this week after visiting Australia to identify potential coal exporters from Indonesia, assess their capabilities and their willingness as well as to identify probable modalities to export coal to Bangladesh”, said Shankar of KIECOAL, who are facilitating BPDB’s visit to Indonesia.
The study team comprising of the officials from the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Power Development. The joint study team will be headed by Tapos Kumar Roy, additional secretary of Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources during Indonesian Visit.
“We are also in touch with several coal producers Indonesia to introduce BPDB,” Shankar added.
The team also planning to visit a coal mine in South Kalimantan prior to leave Indonesia.
(sourced coalspot.com)
If you believe an article violates your rights or the rights of others, please contact us.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Pakistan trying to win back World Bank loan Thar coal project
Sunday, 25 Mar 2012
The Express Tribune reported that the federal government is preparing a report for the World Bank to show that coal is a least cost option and convince the bank to re engage itself in the Thar coal and energy project. Earlier, the World Bank had withdrawn from its commitment of providing USD 30 million in loan for the Thar coal project.
Mr Ayaz Soomro Sindh Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister said that the World Bank in a sudden and abrupt move told the government in November 2009 that it was not in a position to continue with the Thar coal and power project because of environmental reasons.
Mr Soomro who was responding to queries on behalf of Chief Minister Mr Syed Qaim Ali Shah who also heads the Coal and Energy Department said that the Sindh government then approached the federal government asking it to take up the matter with the World Bank.
Mr Soomro accepted that though MoUs had been signed with different companies over the last 5 to 7 years, no company could start coal mining and power production. Reasons behind this were non serious attitude, dearth of infrastructure, lack of incentives, low coordination between provincial and federal governments and failure to resolve tariff and coal pricing issues.
He said that the government had entered into joint ventures with Engro Group, China based Global Mining Company and others in four blocks of Thar. In addition to these, the provincial government has created Sindh Coal Development Fund with PKR 5,000 million for injecting its share of equity.
Mr Soomro said that for financing, a joint venture project has been included in the list of projects under the Pakistan and China Energy Working Group which will meet on April 15th 2012.
He said that work had started on a transmission line and constructing other infrastructure, including roads. About constructing railway lines in Thar Pakistan Railways in collaboration with the Thar Coal and Energy Board had given task to Pakistan Advisory Consultancy Services, a subsidiary of railways, to conduct a feasibility study for laying railway tracks up to the Thar coal field.
He added that an amount of PKR 21.9 million has been allocated in the budget. The government had already declared the Thar coal field as a special economic zone and a project of national security.
Source - The Express Tribune
The Express Tribune reported that the federal government is preparing a report for the World Bank to show that coal is a least cost option and convince the bank to re engage itself in the Thar coal and energy project. Earlier, the World Bank had withdrawn from its commitment of providing USD 30 million in loan for the Thar coal project.
Mr Ayaz Soomro Sindh Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister said that the World Bank in a sudden and abrupt move told the government in November 2009 that it was not in a position to continue with the Thar coal and power project because of environmental reasons.
Mr Soomro who was responding to queries on behalf of Chief Minister Mr Syed Qaim Ali Shah who also heads the Coal and Energy Department said that the Sindh government then approached the federal government asking it to take up the matter with the World Bank.
Mr Soomro accepted that though MoUs had been signed with different companies over the last 5 to 7 years, no company could start coal mining and power production. Reasons behind this were non serious attitude, dearth of infrastructure, lack of incentives, low coordination between provincial and federal governments and failure to resolve tariff and coal pricing issues.
He said that the government had entered into joint ventures with Engro Group, China based Global Mining Company and others in four blocks of Thar. In addition to these, the provincial government has created Sindh Coal Development Fund with PKR 5,000 million for injecting its share of equity.
Mr Soomro said that for financing, a joint venture project has been included in the list of projects under the Pakistan and China Energy Working Group which will meet on April 15th 2012.
He said that work had started on a transmission line and constructing other infrastructure, including roads. About constructing railway lines in Thar Pakistan Railways in collaboration with the Thar Coal and Energy Board had given task to Pakistan Advisory Consultancy Services, a subsidiary of railways, to conduct a feasibility study for laying railway tracks up to the Thar coal field.
He added that an amount of PKR 21.9 million has been allocated in the budget. The government had already declared the Thar coal field as a special economic zone and a project of national security.
Source - The Express Tribune
CBI survey in Janardhana Reddys mine
Sunday, 25 Mar 2012
The Central Bureau of Investigation conducted a survey on Thursday in former minister and mining baron Janardhana Reddy’s Associated Mining Company based on the alleged transportation of 320,000 tonnes of iron ore in five days (March 18-23, 2010).
A team headed by CBI Superintendent of Police Subramanya Rao conducted the survey along with a group of engineers from Singareni Coal Mines, Andhra Pradesh. Apparently, the CBI official arrived at Hospet on Wednesday night and had surveyed the mining areas under AMC on Thursday.
Recently, the CBI collected information from the Department of Mines and Geology about illegal mining. Based on this information, the CBI conducted the survey.
The CBI team along with Reddy’s close aide and personnel assistant Mehfuz Ali Khan, visited the stock yards in Hospet and Sandur. On Thursday, the CBI with the help Department of Mines and Geology and forest department officials surveyed the area till evening.
Source - Indian Express
The Central Bureau of Investigation conducted a survey on Thursday in former minister and mining baron Janardhana Reddy’s Associated Mining Company based on the alleged transportation of 320,000 tonnes of iron ore in five days (March 18-23, 2010).
A team headed by CBI Superintendent of Police Subramanya Rao conducted the survey along with a group of engineers from Singareni Coal Mines, Andhra Pradesh. Apparently, the CBI official arrived at Hospet on Wednesday night and had surveyed the mining areas under AMC on Thursday.
Recently, the CBI collected information from the Department of Mines and Geology about illegal mining. Based on this information, the CBI conducted the survey.
The CBI team along with Reddy’s close aide and personnel assistant Mehfuz Ali Khan, visited the stock yards in Hospet and Sandur. On Thursday, the CBI with the help Department of Mines and Geology and forest department officials surveyed the area till evening.
Source - Indian Express
Iron ore ship rents fall to 12 month low
Saturday, 24 Mar 2012
Returns for Capesize ships that haul commodities including iron ore and coal plunged to the lowest in 12 months as Chinese steel production slows and raw material prices fall.
According to the Baltic Exchange, a London based provider of freight costs on 29 dry bulk routes, daily returns for Capesize vessels fell to USD 4,881 on March 20th 2101. That’s the lowest price since March 2 last year.
Oslo based investment bank RS Platou Markets AS said that “A full blown recovery to match our yearly average target of USD 13,000 a day remains an uphill battle.”
Capesizes are the largest vessels in the Baltic Dry Index, a broader measure of costs to transport commodities. The gauge advanced for a 19th session, the longest winning streak since it rose for 23 days in June 2009. The index rose 0.6% to 884 as charter rates for three of the smaller ship classes tracked increased, figures from the exchange showed.
Panamaxes, the biggest ships that can navigate the Panama Canal, advanced 1.4% to USD 8,037, the longest winning streak in five months, according to the exchange. Supramaxes, about 25% smaller, added 2.7% to USD 10,340. Handysizes, the smallest ships in the index, rose 1.7% to USD 7,915, the highest rate in more than nine weeks.
Source - Bloomberg
Returns for Capesize ships that haul commodities including iron ore and coal plunged to the lowest in 12 months as Chinese steel production slows and raw material prices fall.
According to the Baltic Exchange, a London based provider of freight costs on 29 dry bulk routes, daily returns for Capesize vessels fell to USD 4,881 on March 20th 2101. That’s the lowest price since March 2 last year.
Oslo based investment bank RS Platou Markets AS said that “A full blown recovery to match our yearly average target of USD 13,000 a day remains an uphill battle.”
Capesizes are the largest vessels in the Baltic Dry Index, a broader measure of costs to transport commodities. The gauge advanced for a 19th session, the longest winning streak since it rose for 23 days in June 2009. The index rose 0.6% to 884 as charter rates for three of the smaller ship classes tracked increased, figures from the exchange showed.
Panamaxes, the biggest ships that can navigate the Panama Canal, advanced 1.4% to USD 8,037, the longest winning streak in five months, according to the exchange. Supramaxes, about 25% smaller, added 2.7% to USD 10,340. Handysizes, the smallest ships in the index, rose 1.7% to USD 7,915, the highest rate in more than nine weeks.
Source - Bloomberg
Bellzone Mining starts iron ore production in Guinea
Sunday, 25 Mar 2012
Iron ore production and stockpiling at Bellzone Mining's Forécariah joint venture project in Guinea has begun following the maiden blast on the Yomboyeli Central ore body on March 22nd 2012.
The maiden blast consisted of 213 holes and it is anticipated that this will provide more than 30,000 tonnes of run of mine (ore for processing through the installed crushing and screening plants.
The maiden blast has provided a data set that can be analysed and the blasting process will be evaluated and refined on an ongoing basis to ensure production is maximised over time.
The initial tonnes will be used for wet commissioning of the crushing and screening plants and will be stockpiled as product at the mine site ahead of haulage to the port, pending the issue of the mining permit by the government of Guinea.
When the permit is received, the product will be trucked to the port and stockpiled in preparation for barge loading, which is anticipated to be by the end of April.
Production operations will be progressively ramped up to achieve the design capacity of 4 million tonne per annum over a six month period, with first shipment scheduled for early June 2012.
Source - StockMarketWire.com
Iron ore production and stockpiling at Bellzone Mining's Forécariah joint venture project in Guinea has begun following the maiden blast on the Yomboyeli Central ore body on March 22nd 2012.
The maiden blast consisted of 213 holes and it is anticipated that this will provide more than 30,000 tonnes of run of mine (ore for processing through the installed crushing and screening plants.
The maiden blast has provided a data set that can be analysed and the blasting process will be evaluated and refined on an ongoing basis to ensure production is maximised over time.
The initial tonnes will be used for wet commissioning of the crushing and screening plants and will be stockpiled as product at the mine site ahead of haulage to the port, pending the issue of the mining permit by the government of Guinea.
When the permit is received, the product will be trucked to the port and stockpiled in preparation for barge loading, which is anticipated to be by the end of April.
Production operations will be progressively ramped up to achieve the design capacity of 4 million tonne per annum over a six month period, with first shipment scheduled for early June 2012.
Source - StockMarketWire.com
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Steam coal prices stable as China growth worries weigh
Wednesday, 21 Mar 2012
Reuters reported that prices of prompt physical steam coal were largely unchanged again on Tuesday with coal lacking clear direction from fundamentals but macro factors such as China growth worries could start to erode prices, utilities and traders said.
PRICES
A May South African cargo was bid at USD 103.50 and offered at USD 104.25, unchanged.
A June South African cargo was bid at USD 104.50.
An April DES ARA cargo was bid at USD 90.00 and offered at USD 96.00, down USD 3.00 on the bid but unchanged on the offer
A May DES ARA cargo was bid at USD 95.00 and offered at USD 98.50, little changed
Bids and offers were again too far apart to trade and both buyers and sellers were uncertain of the market's strength.
No fresh trades were reported.
One European trader said “Everybody's trying to figure out how to make money in this market, which is barely moving, so for some to make a slim margin on U.S. coal to Asia is better than nothing or almost nothing.”
They said “More fixed price trades, a term contract settlement price between Australian producers and Japanese utilities and some resumption of Chinese buying would give the market a sharper picture of coal's value.”
The fundamental situation in the coal market has not significantly changed for months, Societe Generale said in a research note on Tuesday.
Global coal prices are heavily dependent upon whether China imports on a large scale or not and this in turn depends on whether domestic coal is cheaper than imports.
Source - Reuters
Reuters reported that prices of prompt physical steam coal were largely unchanged again on Tuesday with coal lacking clear direction from fundamentals but macro factors such as China growth worries could start to erode prices, utilities and traders said.
PRICES
A May South African cargo was bid at USD 103.50 and offered at USD 104.25, unchanged.
A June South African cargo was bid at USD 104.50.
An April DES ARA cargo was bid at USD 90.00 and offered at USD 96.00, down USD 3.00 on the bid but unchanged on the offer
A May DES ARA cargo was bid at USD 95.00 and offered at USD 98.50, little changed
Bids and offers were again too far apart to trade and both buyers and sellers were uncertain of the market's strength.
No fresh trades were reported.
One European trader said “Everybody's trying to figure out how to make money in this market, which is barely moving, so for some to make a slim margin on U.S. coal to Asia is better than nothing or almost nothing.”
They said “More fixed price trades, a term contract settlement price between Australian producers and Japanese utilities and some resumption of Chinese buying would give the market a sharper picture of coal's value.”
The fundamental situation in the coal market has not significantly changed for months, Societe Generale said in a research note on Tuesday.
Global coal prices are heavily dependent upon whether China imports on a large scale or not and this in turn depends on whether domestic coal is cheaper than imports.
Source - Reuters
ArcelorMittal Liberia reaches 1 million tonne iron ore mark
Wednesday, 21 Mar 2012
ArcelorMittal announced the shipment of the 1 millionth tonne of DSO iron ore from its Liberia mining operations.
The vessel will sail from the Buchanan terminal to its customer in China.
Production has been operating at an annualized rate of 4 million tonne per annum since late 2011 and the company is now in commercial ramp up phase with trials cargoes being dispatched to global steel mills.
Mr Rajesh Goel CEO for ArcelorMittal Liberia said “It gives me great pleasure to announce the first one million tons ore shipment from Liberia. We are only at the beginning of our operational development in Liberia which includes significant growth plans in cooperation with the Liberian government and our local communities.”
Prior to commencing mining in Liberia, ArcelorMittal invested USD 800 USD in the rehabilitation of the railroad, port, and infrastructure around the mine in Yekepa, while building its in country capacity.
Source - Allafrica.com
ArcelorMittal announced the shipment of the 1 millionth tonne of DSO iron ore from its Liberia mining operations.
The vessel will sail from the Buchanan terminal to its customer in China.
Production has been operating at an annualized rate of 4 million tonne per annum since late 2011 and the company is now in commercial ramp up phase with trials cargoes being dispatched to global steel mills.
Mr Rajesh Goel CEO for ArcelorMittal Liberia said “It gives me great pleasure to announce the first one million tons ore shipment from Liberia. We are only at the beginning of our operational development in Liberia which includes significant growth plans in cooperation with the Liberian government and our local communities.”
Prior to commencing mining in Liberia, ArcelorMittal invested USD 800 USD in the rehabilitation of the railroad, port, and infrastructure around the mine in Yekepa, while building its in country capacity.
Source - Allafrica.com
China coal prices may ease further and boon for power
Wednesday, 21 Mar 2012
Reuters quoted a top Chinese power company executive said China thermal coal prices are likely to ease further this year as the country economic growth slows, a good sign for the world second largest power industry.
Mr Wang Yu Jun chief executive officer of state run power producer China Resources Power Holdings Co Ltd said spot thermal coal prices in China have fallen sharply and the trend would continue as demand weakens.
He said that China benchmark spot coal prices with a heating value of 5,500 kilocalories per kilogram have declined to the current CNY 765 per tonne from more than CNY 800 at the end of last year.
He added that "It is mainly because China GDP growth has slowed substantially since the last quarter. We believe coal prices will fall this year."
Mr Wang said "If this year's GDP growth is in line with what the government has just forecast, I think this year's fall in coal prices will be rather big."
Chinese Premier Mr Wen Jiabao announced earlier this month that the government had cut the nation growth target to 7.5% for 2012 versus the longstanding goal of 8% annual growth in a move anticipated by investors expecting more focus on economic rebalancing and defusing price pressures.
A coal price fall will be boon to China power sector, which predominantly relies on coal for generation and cannot freely pass on fuel costs to end-users.
Source - Reuters
Reuters quoted a top Chinese power company executive said China thermal coal prices are likely to ease further this year as the country economic growth slows, a good sign for the world second largest power industry.
Mr Wang Yu Jun chief executive officer of state run power producer China Resources Power Holdings Co Ltd said spot thermal coal prices in China have fallen sharply and the trend would continue as demand weakens.
He said that China benchmark spot coal prices with a heating value of 5,500 kilocalories per kilogram have declined to the current CNY 765 per tonne from more than CNY 800 at the end of last year.
He added that "It is mainly because China GDP growth has slowed substantially since the last quarter. We believe coal prices will fall this year."
Mr Wang said "If this year's GDP growth is in line with what the government has just forecast, I think this year's fall in coal prices will be rather big."
Chinese Premier Mr Wen Jiabao announced earlier this month that the government had cut the nation growth target to 7.5% for 2012 versus the longstanding goal of 8% annual growth in a move anticipated by investors expecting more focus on economic rebalancing and defusing price pressures.
A coal price fall will be boon to China power sector, which predominantly relies on coal for generation and cannot freely pass on fuel costs to end-users.
Source - Reuters
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Export of iron ore through MMTC
Tuesday, 20 Mar 2012
Mr Jyotiraditya M Scindia minister of state for commerce and industry, said that under the extant Foreign Trade Policy, export of iron ore with Fe content 64% and above (except iron ore of Goa & Redi origin) is under the State Trading Regime through MMTC Limited.
However, the feasibility of nodal agency operation, as an interim measure, to cover exports of most grades of iron ore as an accounting procedure is under examination, to enforce legitimacy and tighter regulation of iron-ore exports and compliance with mining regulations. Procedures for end-to end monitoring of mineral movement (from mining stage to end-use/export) and mandatory registration of and reporting by all stakeholders would help to establish the traceability of the ore thereby ensuring that it is sourced through legal mining operations.
To ensure domestic availability of iron ore, Government has raised the ad-valorem export duty on iron ore lumps and fines to 30% and imposed differential railway freight on iron ore meant for export.
Source - PIB
Mr Jyotiraditya M Scindia minister of state for commerce and industry, said that under the extant Foreign Trade Policy, export of iron ore with Fe content 64% and above (except iron ore of Goa & Redi origin) is under the State Trading Regime through MMTC Limited.
However, the feasibility of nodal agency operation, as an interim measure, to cover exports of most grades of iron ore as an accounting procedure is under examination, to enforce legitimacy and tighter regulation of iron-ore exports and compliance with mining regulations. Procedures for end-to end monitoring of mineral movement (from mining stage to end-use/export) and mandatory registration of and reporting by all stakeholders would help to establish the traceability of the ore thereby ensuring that it is sourced through legal mining operations.
To ensure domestic availability of iron ore, Government has raised the ad-valorem export duty on iron ore lumps and fines to 30% and imposed differential railway freight on iron ore meant for export.
Source - PIB
Indonesia forces miners into new deals
Tuesday, 20 Mar 2012
BHP Billiton and Newcrest will be forced to renegotiate their long standing mining leases under controversial new divestment laws in Indonesia.
A senior official in Indonesia's Department of Mines and Energy has confirmed that all companies without exception, must implement the new policy under which foreigners cannot own more than 49% of a mining project in the country.
But the details of the divestment for projects operating under existing contracts are subject to negotiation.
The regulation, which was signed by the Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, last month but only published last week, has caused turmoil in the global mining industry as companies that have billions in assets try to work out what it means.
The divestment must start taking place after a mine has been in production for five years, and be complete after 10 years.
BHP and Newcrest have both stated recently that they expect to be unaffected by the new rules, despite holding majority stakes in Indonesia's Indomet and Gosowong mines respectively.
But Mr Sujatmiko a senior adviser to Thamrin Sihite, the director-general of mines and energy, told BusinessDay that even existing miners working under older leases, called contracts of work, would be required to divest.
Mr Sujatmiko said that "In the case of contract of work like PT Nusa Halmahera Minerals [Newcrest's Gosowong project] and Coal Contract of Work like Indomet Project-BHP group, applying [the law] will depends on result of renegotiation between Government and company.”
"To adjust those contracts, government and companies [are] doing renegotiation now and agreement hasn't happened between both parties to date."
Source - www.watoday.com.au
BHP Billiton and Newcrest will be forced to renegotiate their long standing mining leases under controversial new divestment laws in Indonesia.
A senior official in Indonesia's Department of Mines and Energy has confirmed that all companies without exception, must implement the new policy under which foreigners cannot own more than 49% of a mining project in the country.
But the details of the divestment for projects operating under existing contracts are subject to negotiation.
The regulation, which was signed by the Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, last month but only published last week, has caused turmoil in the global mining industry as companies that have billions in assets try to work out what it means.
The divestment must start taking place after a mine has been in production for five years, and be complete after 10 years.
BHP and Newcrest have both stated recently that they expect to be unaffected by the new rules, despite holding majority stakes in Indonesia's Indomet and Gosowong mines respectively.
But Mr Sujatmiko a senior adviser to Thamrin Sihite, the director-general of mines and energy, told BusinessDay that even existing miners working under older leases, called contracts of work, would be required to divest.
Mr Sujatmiko said that "In the case of contract of work like PT Nusa Halmahera Minerals [Newcrest's Gosowong project] and Coal Contract of Work like Indomet Project-BHP group, applying [the law] will depends on result of renegotiation between Government and company.”
"To adjust those contracts, government and companies [are] doing renegotiation now and agreement hasn't happened between both parties to date."
Source - www.watoday.com.au
Transnet delivers wagons to Mozambique
Tuesday, 20 Mar 2012
Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba marked the shipping of the last 98 of the 200 wagons and spare parts designed, engineered and manufactured in Transnet Rail Engineering's facility in Uitenhage, Eastern Cape.
The wagons, which were built for global mining giant Rio Tinto, will be carrying coal from the company's coking coal mine at Moatize in Mozambique's Tete province to the port of Beira.
The wagons and two containers with spare parts were railed from Transnet Rail Engineering's Wagon Business at Uitenhage about 23km from Port Elizabeth to the Port Elizabeth harbour where they were loaded on the MV Thorco Sunrise SW cargo vessel, which departs for Mozambique on Friday.
Gigaba said that "This is a particularly proud moment for us not only because of the significance of this achievement but because of the stringent standards we imposed on ourselves to satisfy our customer. The design, development, prototyping, industrialization and starting production of this new wagon were accomplished in less than five months an impressive lead time by any international standards."
In line with Transnet's commitment to the competitive supplier development program, 85% of the raw materials and components used to manufacture the wagons were sourced locally or built in-house. Only the draw gear and a few specialized components were imported.
Chief executive Brian Molefe said that "A total service solution is key to our customer satisfaction strategy. For this reason and to maximize the life-cycle of the wagons and to ensure a low total cost of ownership, we will be sending our experts to train and supervise local staff in the maintenance of these wagons in Mozambique.”
The wagon business at Uitenhage specializes in manufacturing, conversion, heavy repair and upgrading of railway wagons for domestic fleets. It supplies wagons to the east coast intermodal operators of Tanzania and the west coast mines of Ghana.
Source - www.businesslive.co.za
Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba marked the shipping of the last 98 of the 200 wagons and spare parts designed, engineered and manufactured in Transnet Rail Engineering's facility in Uitenhage, Eastern Cape.
The wagons, which were built for global mining giant Rio Tinto, will be carrying coal from the company's coking coal mine at Moatize in Mozambique's Tete province to the port of Beira.
The wagons and two containers with spare parts were railed from Transnet Rail Engineering's Wagon Business at Uitenhage about 23km from Port Elizabeth to the Port Elizabeth harbour where they were loaded on the MV Thorco Sunrise SW cargo vessel, which departs for Mozambique on Friday.
Gigaba said that "This is a particularly proud moment for us not only because of the significance of this achievement but because of the stringent standards we imposed on ourselves to satisfy our customer. The design, development, prototyping, industrialization and starting production of this new wagon were accomplished in less than five months an impressive lead time by any international standards."
In line with Transnet's commitment to the competitive supplier development program, 85% of the raw materials and components used to manufacture the wagons were sourced locally or built in-house. Only the draw gear and a few specialized components were imported.
Chief executive Brian Molefe said that "A total service solution is key to our customer satisfaction strategy. For this reason and to maximize the life-cycle of the wagons and to ensure a low total cost of ownership, we will be sending our experts to train and supervise local staff in the maintenance of these wagons in Mozambique.”
The wagon business at Uitenhage specializes in manufacturing, conversion, heavy repair and upgrading of railway wagons for domestic fleets. It supplies wagons to the east coast intermodal operators of Tanzania and the west coast mines of Ghana.
Source - www.businesslive.co.za
Vale to reopen Carajas iron ore rail track
Tuesday, 20 Mar 2012
Bloomberg reported that Vale SA said that it will reopen operations at a railroad that transports production from the world’s largest iron ore mine after an accident lowered shipments by 300,000 tonnes.
It said “Vale has taken all the necessary measures to restore the railway traffic.”
Vale said “Traffic at the Carajas railroad in northern Brazil will resume and the expected iron ore shipment loss is relatively small. The company may be able to offset the loss by increasing shipments from other ports such as Tubarao, Ilha de Guaiba and Itaguai.”
Vale shut the Carajas railroad after part of a bridge it was building next to the railroad collapsed March 16 when 7 workers suffered light injuries.
The railroad links the Carajas mine with the Ponta da Madeira port in Brazil’s northeastern state of Maranhao, from which Vale exports iron ore to clients as far away as Asia. Vale produced a record 109.8 million tonnes of iron ore in Carajas last year, or about 34% of its total output.
Source - Bloomberg
Bloomberg reported that Vale SA said that it will reopen operations at a railroad that transports production from the world’s largest iron ore mine after an accident lowered shipments by 300,000 tonnes.
It said “Vale has taken all the necessary measures to restore the railway traffic.”
Vale said “Traffic at the Carajas railroad in northern Brazil will resume and the expected iron ore shipment loss is relatively small. The company may be able to offset the loss by increasing shipments from other ports such as Tubarao, Ilha de Guaiba and Itaguai.”
Vale shut the Carajas railroad after part of a bridge it was building next to the railroad collapsed March 16 when 7 workers suffered light injuries.
The railroad links the Carajas mine with the Ponta da Madeira port in Brazil’s northeastern state of Maranhao, from which Vale exports iron ore to clients as far away as Asia. Vale produced a record 109.8 million tonnes of iron ore in Carajas last year, or about 34% of its total output.
Source - Bloomberg
Resource super profit tax - Australian miners unhappy
Tuesday, 20 Mar 2012
The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies, which represents small and mid tier miners, condemned the tax.
Association chief executive Mr Simon Bennison said “The tax is simply unfair to smaller emerging miners, and is so complex that the administrative and compliance burden on industry and government will be extreme. “The introduction of this anti-competitive legislation in Australia will only further push investment capital offshore, and change our reputation as a safe place in which to invest.”
Source - Reuters
The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies, which represents small and mid tier miners, condemned the tax.
Association chief executive Mr Simon Bennison said “The tax is simply unfair to smaller emerging miners, and is so complex that the administrative and compliance burden on industry and government will be extreme. “The introduction of this anti-competitive legislation in Australia will only further push investment capital offshore, and change our reputation as a safe place in which to invest.”
Source - Reuters
Monday, March 19, 2012
More coal imports likely following duty reduction
Monday, 19 Mar 2012
Seeking to address the coal shortage affecting the power and steel sectors, government has announced a slew of measures for enhancing its availability in the Budget, a development welcomed by Coal India Ltd.
Mr Zohra Chatterji CMD of CIL said that "We welcome the removal of import duty on coal.”
The Coal Ministry is of the view that development would lead to an increase in import of fossil fuel to the country.
While presenting the Budget for 2012-13, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said that "I propose to ease the situation by providing full exemption from basic customs duty and a concessional CVD (Countervailing Duty) of 1% to steam coal for a period of two years till March 31, 2014."
On the proposals, Coal Secretary Mr Alok Perti said that "The exemption will result in increase in import of non-coking coal by around one million tonnes as the prices of the dry fuel would come down.”
The coal ministry had pitched for the reduction in the duty and had even written to the Finance Ministry on the same prior to the budget announcement.
Singareni Collieries Company Ltd CMD S Narsing Rao, however, said the duty exemption would not have much impact on the domestic coal industry.
The government has proposed to remove 5% customs duty on non-coking coal.
According to an official in the state-owned firm, the duty exemption will also result in reducing the demand-supply gap of fossil fuel.
Power sector is one of the main consumers of non coking coal and nearly two third of the electricity generation in the country is coal based.
The power sector is likely to miss the non-coking coal import target of 55 million tonnes for the current fiscal as companies have imported only 30 million tonnes till December.
Source - www.indianexpress.com
Seeking to address the coal shortage affecting the power and steel sectors, government has announced a slew of measures for enhancing its availability in the Budget, a development welcomed by Coal India Ltd.
Mr Zohra Chatterji CMD of CIL said that "We welcome the removal of import duty on coal.”
The Coal Ministry is of the view that development would lead to an increase in import of fossil fuel to the country.
While presenting the Budget for 2012-13, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said that "I propose to ease the situation by providing full exemption from basic customs duty and a concessional CVD (Countervailing Duty) of 1% to steam coal for a period of two years till March 31, 2014."
On the proposals, Coal Secretary Mr Alok Perti said that "The exemption will result in increase in import of non-coking coal by around one million tonnes as the prices of the dry fuel would come down.”
The coal ministry had pitched for the reduction in the duty and had even written to the Finance Ministry on the same prior to the budget announcement.
Singareni Collieries Company Ltd CMD S Narsing Rao, however, said the duty exemption would not have much impact on the domestic coal industry.
The government has proposed to remove 5% customs duty on non-coking coal.
According to an official in the state-owned firm, the duty exemption will also result in reducing the demand-supply gap of fossil fuel.
Power sector is one of the main consumers of non coking coal and nearly two third of the electricity generation in the country is coal based.
The power sector is likely to miss the non-coking coal import target of 55 million tonnes for the current fiscal as companies have imported only 30 million tonnes till December.
Source - www.indianexpress.com
Supply shortage continues in Karnataka
Monday, 19 Mar 2012
Business Standard reported that the postponement of the Supreme Court verdict on illegal mining in Karnataka has put steel producers in a quandary as most of them have already cut production because only low grade iron ore is available from the E auctions of the Metal Scrap Trading Company.
The Supreme Court said that the three judges hearing the case will not be available for hearing on March 16. Last month, the apex court had adjourned the hearing on the case by two weeks to enable the Central Empowered Committee to hear the responses of the affected companies and the State Government.
Mr Seshagiri Rao joint MD of JSW Steel said the company has to cut down its capacity utilization to 70 per cent in February against 90% in January due to poor quality of iron ore being supplied by Metal Scrap.
He added that “We have about three to four million tonnes of iron ore stockpile left with us. The question now is whether we should be using it. Use of low grade iron ore is taking a heavy toll on our furnace.”
He added that “Unlike coal, iron ore cannot be imported as it will be unaffordable. The costs will increase substantially even if we have to source it from other states. Even if the Court allows opening up new mines in the state, it will take at least two to three months to start mining.”
Karnataka produces 16 million tonnes annually of iron and steel, constituting about 24% of the country's production of 66 million tonnes annually. Karnataka also supplies iron ore to companies located outside the State.
Source - Business Standard
Business Standard reported that the postponement of the Supreme Court verdict on illegal mining in Karnataka has put steel producers in a quandary as most of them have already cut production because only low grade iron ore is available from the E auctions of the Metal Scrap Trading Company.
The Supreme Court said that the three judges hearing the case will not be available for hearing on March 16. Last month, the apex court had adjourned the hearing on the case by two weeks to enable the Central Empowered Committee to hear the responses of the affected companies and the State Government.
Mr Seshagiri Rao joint MD of JSW Steel said the company has to cut down its capacity utilization to 70 per cent in February against 90% in January due to poor quality of iron ore being supplied by Metal Scrap.
He added that “We have about three to four million tonnes of iron ore stockpile left with us. The question now is whether we should be using it. Use of low grade iron ore is taking a heavy toll on our furnace.”
He added that “Unlike coal, iron ore cannot be imported as it will be unaffordable. The costs will increase substantially even if we have to source it from other states. Even if the Court allows opening up new mines in the state, it will take at least two to three months to start mining.”
Karnataka produces 16 million tonnes annually of iron and steel, constituting about 24% of the country's production of 66 million tonnes annually. Karnataka also supplies iron ore to companies located outside the State.
Source - Business Standard
FMG sees iron ore at USD 120 to USD 150 per tonne near term
Monday, 19 Mar 2012
Fortescue Metals Group chief executive Mr Nev Power sees iron ore prices holding between USD 120 and USD 150 per tonne in the near term, on Thursday after the company raised USD 2 billion to help fund a tripling in its iron ore capacity.
Source - Reuters
Fortescue Metals Group chief executive Mr Nev Power sees iron ore prices holding between USD 120 and USD 150 per tonne in the near term, on Thursday after the company raised USD 2 billion to help fund a tripling in its iron ore capacity.
Source - Reuters
Saturday, March 17, 2012
SA bulk export volumes dropped by 21.2pct MoM in February
Saturday, 17 Mar 2012
Transnet National Ports Authority data showed on March 13th 2012 that SA's bulk export volumes dropped by 21.2% MoM in February 2012 from January 2012 as mostly iron ore exports out of Saldanha slumped by 48.6% MoM to 2,571,174 tonnes.
Although 2012 is a leap year, there were still only 29 days in February 2012 compared with 31 days in January 2012, so ports had 6.5% less time to load goods. That is why the YoY comparison makes more sense, but weather can also disrupt port operations such as the recent Cyclone Irina.
The YoY change in February 2012 was a 9.4% drop to 10.651 million tonnes after January's 28.1% YoY surge to 13.513 tonnes. The high YoY growth rate is in part due to poor weather in January 2011 that disrupted port operations.
Bulk exports rose by 6.6% in 2011 to a record 141.493 tonnes after a 9.0% jump in 2010. The YoY increase in the first two months of 2012 was 8.3%.
The slower growth last year was in part due to weather related disruptions as well as cable theft on the Mpumalanga Richards Bay coal line, which has resulted in derailments and other disruptions to traffic.
The coal line was closed for 20 days in May and June 2011 to do necessary maintenance and in October exports out of Richards Bay exceeded 8 million tonnes or an annualized 96 million tonnes, but this eased to 7.3 million tonnes in November 2011 before rising to 7.5 million tonnes in December 2011 and 7.7 million tonnes or an annualized 92 million tonnes in January 2012. In February 2012 Richards Bay shipped 7 million tonnes and shipments for the first two months are up 22.8% YoY.
In 2011, shipments out of Richards Bay, which are mostly coal, disappointed with a 1.4% rise to 76 million tonnes in 2011, while mostly iron ore shipments out of Saldanha Bay increased by 12.3% to 53.3 Mt. In January 2012 the y/y increases were 34.4% and 25.0% respectively, indicating that demand for these commodities remains very strong despite the global growth concerns.
The star performer last year was agricultural and manganese exports out of the other South African ports, such as Durban and Port Elizabeth, which jumped by 18.7% to 12.2 million tonnes, but in January 2012 there was a small 1.8% YoY decline to 0.8 million tonnes, while February 2012 saw a larger 8.5% YoY decline.
The majority of bulk exports go to Asia as China, India and Japan require South African coal and iron ore to feed their steel mills and thermal coal power stations.
As nuclear power stations in Japan have reduced their output after the March 2011 earthquake, Japan requires more coal to burn in their thermal power stations.
Source - Net Bridge
Transnet National Ports Authority data showed on March 13th 2012 that SA's bulk export volumes dropped by 21.2% MoM in February 2012 from January 2012 as mostly iron ore exports out of Saldanha slumped by 48.6% MoM to 2,571,174 tonnes.
Although 2012 is a leap year, there were still only 29 days in February 2012 compared with 31 days in January 2012, so ports had 6.5% less time to load goods. That is why the YoY comparison makes more sense, but weather can also disrupt port operations such as the recent Cyclone Irina.
The YoY change in February 2012 was a 9.4% drop to 10.651 million tonnes after January's 28.1% YoY surge to 13.513 tonnes. The high YoY growth rate is in part due to poor weather in January 2011 that disrupted port operations.
Bulk exports rose by 6.6% in 2011 to a record 141.493 tonnes after a 9.0% jump in 2010. The YoY increase in the first two months of 2012 was 8.3%.
The slower growth last year was in part due to weather related disruptions as well as cable theft on the Mpumalanga Richards Bay coal line, which has resulted in derailments and other disruptions to traffic.
The coal line was closed for 20 days in May and June 2011 to do necessary maintenance and in October exports out of Richards Bay exceeded 8 million tonnes or an annualized 96 million tonnes, but this eased to 7.3 million tonnes in November 2011 before rising to 7.5 million tonnes in December 2011 and 7.7 million tonnes or an annualized 92 million tonnes in January 2012. In February 2012 Richards Bay shipped 7 million tonnes and shipments for the first two months are up 22.8% YoY.
In 2011, shipments out of Richards Bay, which are mostly coal, disappointed with a 1.4% rise to 76 million tonnes in 2011, while mostly iron ore shipments out of Saldanha Bay increased by 12.3% to 53.3 Mt. In January 2012 the y/y increases were 34.4% and 25.0% respectively, indicating that demand for these commodities remains very strong despite the global growth concerns.
The star performer last year was agricultural and manganese exports out of the other South African ports, such as Durban and Port Elizabeth, which jumped by 18.7% to 12.2 million tonnes, but in January 2012 there was a small 1.8% YoY decline to 0.8 million tonnes, while February 2012 saw a larger 8.5% YoY decline.
The majority of bulk exports go to Asia as China, India and Japan require South African coal and iron ore to feed their steel mills and thermal coal power stations.
As nuclear power stations in Japan have reduced their output after the March 2011 earthquake, Japan requires more coal to burn in their thermal power stations.
Source - Net Bridge
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