Coal reserves in Serbia represent an important strategic energy raw materials on which in the coming decades will be based energy development in Serbia. Coal mining in Serbia is performed by surface, underground and underwater mining, and within each of them there are also the coal preparation facilities. Underground mining is done in the scope of the JP PEU Resavica, which includes eight active mines: Bogovina, Rembas, Vrška čuka, Štavalj, Ibar, Soko, Jasenovac and Lubnica. Surface mining is carried out as part of a JP EPS. Mining operation is done in mining basin Kolubara and Kostalac which are supplier of three thermal power plants: Kolubara, Nikola Tesla and Morava. Underwater mining and preparation of coals in Serbia has been done in Kovin coal mine. Coal production, processes of preparation and quality for all active mines in Serbia are presented in this review paper.

The paper gives review of international and domestice experience in Serbia in the field of coal cleaning prior to combustion in thermal power plants. Also, the paper highlighted the problem of combustion low rank lignite from open pit mine in thermal power plants and considering this problem from the aspect of mineral processing. The results of laboratory tests aimed to establish the possibility of cleaning of lignite from Tamnava Zapadno polje, showed the beneficial upgrading of the 70% of run-of-mine coal with simple screening. It has been confirmed that by simple process of coal cleaning can be removed about 30% of tailings, which mostly consist of mineral impurities. The final obtained products have satisfactory quality (lower contents of ash and higher calorific values).