Solid Energy has submitted an expression of interest to acquire the assets of Pike River Coal's West Coast mine in New Zealand.
The company said that it has a natural interest in Pike River Coal given its long history and experience of coal mining on the West Coast.
Solid Energy chief operating officer Barry Bragg said that through long-term agreements with KiwiRail and Lyttelton Port of Christchurch, the company has the capability to transport the coal from the West Coast to the port for export.
The company has an agreement in place to rail coal from the Pike River mine to Lyttelton, which was put on hold following the explosion at the mine last November.
Solid Energy recently leased the land at the Pike River rail loadout at Ikamatua to complement its development projects in the Reefton and Greymouth area.