Solid Energy is to defer presenting its half year accounts.

It says it's doing so until the Board of Directors are confident the accounts reflect a true and fair picture of the company's position.

Acting chair Andy Coupe says the company view is that coal prices will remain lower for longer than has been predicted, and they won't recover as quickly.

The company says it continues to make good progress in reducing costs - with the cost of production reduced by 30% over the past 18 months.

The government came to the rescue of the state owned company early in 2013 when it announced it was facing debt of almost $400 million.