Solid Energy is seeking resource consents to explore for coal near Greymouth.
It is applying to Grey District and West Coast Regional councils for resource consents regarding export-grade coking coal in the Upper Seven Mile Valley area, about 20km north-east of Greymouth.
Solid Energy says if the exploration consents are granted and feasibility studies prove positive, it will seek mining consents next year to develop a series of small opencast and underground operations.
The company says work done so far suggests an operation that could produce half a million tonnes of coal a year for 15 to 20 years.
The area was mined from 1913 until 1985.
