Abstract: An apparatus and method utilizes a plasma arc torch as a heat source for recovering useful fuel products from in situ deposits of coal, tar sands, oil shale, and the like. When applied to a coal deposit, the plasma torch is lowered in a shaft into the deposit and serves as a means for supplying heat to the coal and thereby stripping off the volatiles. The fixed carbon is gasified by reaction with steam that is sprayed into the devolatilized area and product gases are recovered through the shaft.When applied to tar sands and oil shale, the torch is lowered in a shaft into the deposit and serves as a heat source to allow the entrapped oil in the tar sand or the kerogen in the oil shale to flow to a reservoir for collection. When economically justified, the carbonaceous matter in the tar sands or oil shale deposits may be partially or completely pyrolyzed and recovered as gaseous fuel products.