METHODS FOR PRICE DETERMINATION (JUSTIFICATION) AT ECONOMIC-GEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF COAL DEPOSITS

Abstract

The purpose of research is systematization and analysis of methods of price determining for geological and economic assessment of coal deposits in domestic and international practice. Price indicators and income from sale of coal affect significantly reserves value, profitability of their development, and determine industrial significance of reserves. In domestic practice commodity exchanges, contractual, regulated, world and transfer prices are used. In international practice coal prices are formed at the result of futures, spot or stock exchange contracts. Now international coal trade realizes in the framework of futures contracts and spot transactions. In recent years, short-term contracts prevail, rarely it’s used medium-term contracts. A sequence of coal pricing for geological and economic assessment has been determined, which is the following: classification of coal by grades and classes in accordance with current standards; statistical analysis of prices by grades and classes, coal enrichment products; determination of a system of discounts/surcharges to the price of each class depending on coal quality; correction of actual producer prices for assessment reserves. The values of surcharges or discounts for individual indicators of coal quality are determined. The sensitivity analysis of reserves value and profitability from changes in selling coal prices has been carried out. The determination of the coal price or enrichment products requires a detailed justification depending on the stage of geological and feasibility study of reserves. For detailed assessment of explored or exploited deposits it is reasonable to use actual prices of coal sales for the previous period and contract prices for future periods in the presence of medium and long-term contracts. For preliminary geological and economic assessment, it is possible to use the price of the analogue deposit, which is developed, or wholesale coal prices with correction by quality.