Two leonardite benches occur in the lignite basins of Achlada (NW Greece) and Zeli (Central Greece). In this study, we present some initial results concerning chemical composition (C, H, N and S), kind of inorganic matter, contents of free-humic acids, and the petrological features. Both samples are classified as lignites and display similar values of carbon contents. The Zeli-sample displays higher hydrogen and lower sulphur contents than the sample from Achlada. Nitrogen in both cases remains below the detection limit. Increased silicate inorganic influx, consisting mainly of clay minerals, affected both benches. The organic matter is low to moderately gelified and intensely fragmented, with attrinite being the predominant maceral. Inertinites are almost absent, whereas liptinites occur with low values. Values of free-humic acids are similar, ranging up to 50 wt%. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.