The company was placed in a trading halt yesterday after receiving a letter from Resources Minister Chris Hartcher late on Wednesday urging it to consider suspending exploration, citing ‘‘considerable interest and concern in the wider community’’.

Former Labor resources minister Ian Macdonald granted the licence to Doyles Creek Mining in 2008, despite no tender process being undertaken. The company was later bought by NuCoal.

Last week, State Parliament referred the granting of the licence to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), after a report to the government found Mr Macdonald ignored departmental guidelines by not going to tender for the licence.

Mr Hartcher asked the company to suspend its exploration until ICAC had investigated.

In a statement yesterday, NuCoal said it was seeking legal advice.

It said the ICAC had yet to release terms of reference or indicate when an inquiry may be held.

‘‘However, NuCoal understands the inquiry will primarily be focusing on the conduct of a former minister between January 2007 and December 2008,’’ it said.

‘‘This is a period of time long before NuCoal had any interest in [the exploration licence].’’

On Tuesday, the Land and Environment Court ordered that Jerrys Plains farmers Ian and Robyn Moore give NuCoal access so it can explore their property for coal.

Premier Barry O’Farrell said yesterday that the government could not order a moratorium at the Doyles Creek site without exposing itself to compensation payments.

Mr Macdonald resigned last year over an expenses scandal and is the subject of another ICAC inquiry.

A company spokesman said it had been granted an urgent meeting this morning with Mr Hartcher.