In a public notice, printed in the Namoi Valley Independent on January 9, the company said it would undertake further exploration drilling within the exploration license boundary.

The work is expected to start on January 13 and finish by the end of June.

In the notice, the company stated it was advising people of the work to fulfil a requirement of the license work plan approved by the Department of Resources and Geoscience.

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In late 2019, Shenhua approached a number of landholders in the Liverpool Plains, seeking to run power poles through properties to provide electricity to the proposed coal mine site.

The Chinese mining company attempted to negotiate with at least three landowners, who all rejected the offer. However, it's understood the company has found a solution.

Gunnedah councillors recently voted to write to both the state and federal governments, requesting they "urgently progress" the Shenhua mine.

"Gunnedah, like any other country town, is not in a very good state," Cr Colleen Fuller said.

"I'm just a little bit disappointed that government hasn't come forward and moved on this a little quicker.

"The direct jobs that it's going to create for this town will be massive ... I'd like to think that our young people can stay in our town."

Shenhua is planning to develop the proposed open-cut mine on the Liverpool Plains, near Breeza, south west of Gunnedah, and extract 10 million tonnes of coal per annum over 30 years.