Abstract: A method and system for reclaiming coal by separating useable coal from refuse includes a pre-conditioning stage wherein a raw feed stock of coal and refuse is mixed with a liquid medium, and a separation stage wherein the pre-conditioned feed stock is processed to separate useable coal from the refuse. In the pre-conditioning stage, the raw feed stock is used to prepare a slurried medium containing particulate material of a predetermined particulate size and of a pre-selected specific gravity. In the washing stage, the slurried medium is separated into two separated slurries, one being of lesser specific gravity than the slurried medium and the other being of greater specific gravity than the slurried medium. Usable coal is separated from the slurry of lesser specific gravity and refuse is separated from the slurry of greater specific gravity. The effluent from the slurries of lesser and greater specific gravities is collected for use in preparing the slurried medium in the pre-conditioning stage.