Abstract: A novel carbonaceous material derived from solid carbonaceous fossil fuel, in particular low rank coal, such as brown coal, having a low ash and sulphur content, is prepared by deoxygenation and dewatering in the presence of hydrogen and a solvent having hydrogen carrier properties (e.g. anthracene oil under conditions known per se for the solvent extraction of coal. The entire liqueform reaction product is distilled down without prior filtration and recovered as the product which, besides the soluble components also includes the ash and carbonaceous insolubles. The material which has a ring and ball softening point above 30.degree. C, preferably above 100.degree. C, is particularly useful for blending with coal having inferior coking properties in order to produce a coking blend useful for the production of metallurgical coke, applying conventional coking conditions.