Abstract:
The invention relates to a process for the production of an agglomerated coal product from a coal fines feedstock, the process comprising a step of mixing the feedstock with a binder comprising sodium silicate and a surfactant and optionally PVA and/or a waterproofing agent in a mechanical mixer to produce the agglomerated coal product and an agglomerated coal product produced by the process of the invention. The process may further comprise a step of drying or curing the agglomerated coal product.