Abstract: A process for recovery of combustionable coal from fine coal such as frequently considered waste coal from mining operations includes drying and classifying the raw coal into ultra-fine and fine size classes. The ultra-fine size class is directed to a collector and further separated in a strictly dry manner while the fine size class is separated in a flotation apparatus to divide out the coal and ash therein which are subsequently screened, with or without washing and drying at that time. The screened fine size coal, after being dried, is collected in a stock pile, as is also any dry ultra-fine size coal as discharged by the collector.