The characterisation of mineral components of coals requires their isolation from organic matter, which would otherwise interfere with phase identification by means of physico-chemical techniques. Low-temperature ashing (LTA) using a cool oxygen plasma is a prospective method to oxidise coal organic matter at low temperatures while keeping the mineral constituents unaltered. In this work we have used a microwave-excited plasma apparatus for the LTA treatment of lignite samples from the Maritza-Iztok (M-I-1; M-I-2) and Elhovo basins. Minerals were characterised in the LTA residues using FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. The advantages and disadvantages of the LTA method are discussed. Results indicate that LTA performs well for the isolation of mineral matter, the ensuing methodology being adequate for the characterisation of Bulgarian lignites. The same mineral constituents (principally clay minerals, quartz, pyrite and carbonates) were identified in all the three studied samples, differences being mainly in their particle size, degree of crystallinity and distribution in the organic matter of coals.