Low-rank/oxidized coals respond poorly to oil agglomeration. Emulsification of kerosene in the presence of surfactants dramatically reduces the size of the kerosene droplets, lowering the consumption of kerosene needed to agglomerate oil down to 0.25-0.5%. Surfactants can also entirely change the interaction between oil droplets and coal particles. Consequently, kerosene cationic emulsions can efficiently agglomerate oxidized coal particles. The agglomerates obtained in such a process can still be recovered by screening. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.