Tests have been done using laboratory scale reactors to explore the performance of a sub-bituminous coal and an oil shale from Mongolia, under conditions simulating gasification, pyrolysis and combustion processes. The results show that the coal is reactive, with a high fuel conversion under gasification conditions and the production of a reasonable quality fuel gas. The combustion performance was similar to that of other coals of a similar C content that have been shown to perform acceptably at the commercial scale. The main drawback with the coal is the high as mined moisture content. This would impose a thermal penalty on a commercial process. The oil shale did not produce such a good Gas, but at the temperature used (800 degreesC), the production of tar was significant. This suggests that the shale may have potential as a source of liquid fuels. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All fights reserved.