In this study, selective agglomeration is used as a simple physical technique to reduce the ash content of coal tailings, in order to reduce environmental pollution and to increase the value of these materials for combustion and energy recovery. A pilot plant based upon this separation method was constructed, permitting the de-ashing of the tailings to a high level and the recycling of the agglomerant used for these operations by thermal desorption from the agglomerates. The effects of many operating variables have been examined for two different railings and the efficiency of the process for cleaning tailings and agglomerant recovery has been demonstrated. Moreover, a tailings de-ashing efficiency of 90% was achieved fur this process, and a recovery and re-cycling efficiency for the agglomerant of 82% was also realised. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.