Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided a process for the beneficiation of coal discards by increasing calorific value and carbon content while removing inert mineral matter and sulphur compounds. The process involves the pretreatment of wash water with a non-ionic kinetically energized surface-active agent and the admixture with a fixed mass of raw coal discard to enhance hydrophobicity and carboniferous particle agglomeration. Processing of the resulting suspension though a dedicated series of spiral separators and high frequency, resonance sieves reliably reduces excessive levels of mineral ash and sulphur compounds.