Solid Energy to push plant

Solid Energy said it would lodge resource consents to build and operate a demonstration briquetting plant at the Mataura mine site in Southland. Photo / File photo

State-owned Solid Energy said it would lodge resource consents with Gore District Council and Environment Southland early this year to build and operate a demonstration briquetting plant at the former Mataura mine site in Southland.

Any decision about the viability of a commercial plant will be made once the demonstration plant has successfully produced low-moisture, higher-energy briquettes.

Solid Energy said yesterday that the former Mataura mine site was the preferred location because it was close to a reliable power supply, had a range of transport options nearby and was already zoned industrial with some existing consents for a coal operation.