What are the differences between RB1, RB2, and RB3 coal grades?

These grades are defined by their Net As Received (NAR) calorific values: RB1 (6000 NAR) is premium high-CV coal, RB2 (5500 NAR) is mid-range, and RB3 (4800 NAR) is a lower-CV utility grade. BigMint provides daily price assessments for all three benchmarks at FOB Richards Bay and CNF Indian ports to ensure buyers can track the price-to-energy ratio accurately.

How is South African coal priced at Indian ports like Gangavaram?

Coal at Indian ports is priced both on a CNF (Cost and Freight) basis in USD for imports and an Ex-Portside basis in INR for domestic buyers. BigMint tracks both indices daily at Gangavaram, allowing traders to calculate the landed cost including port handling and local taxes.

What is the typical delivery period for imported thermal coal vs domestic portside sales?

International CNF shipments typically involve a 30-day delivery window from the date of fixture, while domestic portside purchases are often fulfilled within 7 days. BigMint lists these specific timelines for every South African coal grade to help procurement teams manage their stock-and-sale cycles.

Why is the 4800 NAR (RB3) grade significant for the Indian market?

RB3 is a cost-effective high-ash alternative often blended by Indian power plants and sponge iron kilns to lower overall feedstock costs. BigMint provides high-frequency pricing for RB3 at both Richards Bay and Indian discharge points, reflecting its role as a high-volume utility benchmark.

What is the difference between NAR and GAR in coal valuation?

NAR (Net As Received) accounts for the energy loss used to evaporate moisture, making it the global standard for South African coal, whereas GAR (Gross As Received) is more common for Indonesian grades. BigMint applies CV-normalization across these benchmarks, enabling users to compare the actual energy value per dollar across different origins.

How does BigMint assess market sentiment for Non-Coking coal?

Market sentiment is gauged through a mix of vessel fixture volumes, port inventory levels, and buyer-seller bid-offer spreads. BigMint integrates this qualitative data into daily reports, providing a forward-looking view of whether thermal coal prices are likely to remain stable or face volatility.

Does BigMint track coal stock levels at major Indian discharge ports?

Yes, monitoring port-side inventory at hubs like Gangavaram and Mundra is essential for understanding local supply-demand parity. BigMint's logistics data helps users identify potential supply bottlenecks or surpluses that could influence spot portside prices.

How do Richards Bay FOB prices influence the Indian domestic market?

FOB prices at Richards Bay serve as the starting point for global netback calculations; any spike in South African export rates usually leads to a corresponding rise in Indian CNF prices. BigMint provides real-time visibility into these export benchmarks, helping Indian importers negotiate better terms based on international trends.

Can I access historical price data for South African RB grades?

Historical transparency is key for analyzing seasonal demand spikes and long-term price cycles. BigMint offers a comprehensive database of historical coal prices, allowing analysts to perform correlation studies between international benchmarks and domestic mill-gate costs.

What makes BigMint's thermal coal assessments reliable for commercial contracts?

Reliability is ensured through an IOSCO-compliant methodology that involves multi-source verification of actual trade fixtures. BigMint's structured approach to data collection provides a transparent and audited benchmark that is widely used for price indexing in the energy sector.

Non-Coking Coal Prices – Daily Market Rates

Iron Ore	Export level
CY 2014	15
CY 2015	25
CY 2016	30
CY 2017	19
CY 2018	18
CY 2019 (till APR)	15

Iron Ore	Import level
CY 2014	15
CY 2015	25
CY 2016	30
CY 2017	19
CY 2018	18
CY 2019 (till APR)	15

Iron Ore	Production level
CY 2014	15
CY 2015	25
CY 2016	30
CY 2017	19
CY 2018	18
CY 2019 (till APR)	15

Iron Ore	Consumption level
CY 2014	15
CY 2015	25
CY 2016	30
CY 2017	19
CY 2018	18
CY 2019 (till APR)	15

Export - Iron Ore | India

Compare

Export - Iron Ore | India

Iron Ore	Export level
CY 2014	15
CY 2015	25
CY 2016	30
CY 2017	19
CY 2018	18
CY 2019 (till APR)	15

Import - Iron Ore | India

Iron Ore	Import level
CY 2014	15
CY 2015	25
CY 2016	30
CY 2017	19
CY 2018	18
CY 2019 (till APR)	15

Import - Iron Ore | India

Iron Ore	Production level
CY 2014	15
CY 2015	25
CY 2016	30
CY 2017	19
CY 2018	18
CY 2019 (till APR)	15

Export - Iron Ore | India

Iron Ore	Consumption level
CY 2014	15
CY 2015	25
CY 2016	30
CY 2017	19
CY 2018	18
CY 2019 (till APR)	15

Coastal Movement - Iron Ore | India

Compare

Export - Iron Ore | India

Iron Ore	Export level
CY 2014	15
CY 2015	25
CY 2016	30
CY 2017	19
CY 2018	18
CY 2019 (till APR)	15

Export - Iron Ore | India

Iron Ore	Import level
CY 2014	15
CY 2015	25
CY 2016	30
CY 2017	19
CY 2018	18
CY 2019 (till APR)	15