Genesis submitted an application on November 9 with Crown Minerals for the exploration rights to 5600 hectares of the Mokau coal field in King Country.

Genesis currently owns and operates the 1000-megawatt coal-fired power station near Huntly, but the company told Stuff.co.nz that any coal mined from the Mokau area was unlikely to be suitable for the Huntly station. Instead the company would contemplate building a new power station in the area.

If the permit area proved economical, Genesis said it would bring in a partner to operate the mine, Stuff.co.nz reported.