Abstract: The present invention proposes a method and system for addressing the specific processing requirements which must be satisfied to successfully thermally dry sub-bituminous materials in order to raise the heating values of such materials to levels approximating those of bituminous coals. In addition, the present invention proposes a new integration of technical mechanisms to satisfy these requirements, which, in addition to being unique from an overall process perspective, incorporates several individually unique components and sub-systems. The invention further includes systems and methods for restructuring such thermally dried materials into commercially usable handleable and marketable fuel product.