A system for preparing a coal water slurry, comprising: a first unit for providing a stream of coarse coal water slurry; a second unit for providing a stream of ultrafine coal water slurry; a third unit for providing a stream of dry coarse coal particles; and a mixing unit for mixing the stream of coarse coal water slurry, the stream of ultrafine coal water slurry and the stream of dry coarse coal particles. An associated method is also presented.