Solid Energy says it is moving ahead with plans for a new mine near Greymouth to produce export-grade hard coking coal.
The company has applied to the Grey District and West Coast Regional Councils for exploration resource consents.
If these are granted, Solid Energy says it will seek mining consents in 2012 to develop the proposed Liverpool mine.
It says the mining operation could last 15 to 20 years and produce up to 500,000 tonnes a year of hard coking coal for the international steel market.
