This procedure uses successive solvent extractions to determine the modes of occurrence of inorganics present in coal. The solvents used are water, ammonium acetate, and hydrochloric acid. Each residue is analyzed by x-ray fluorescence (XRF) to determine major element chemistry. If significant quantities of inorganic elements are present in the organic portion of a coal, data from this procedure can be combined with computer-controlled scanning electron microscopy (CCSEM) mineral data to determine the distribution of all of the inorganic material in the coal. The coal sample is usually ground to -200 mesh for the extraction procedure, and the residues are ashed and pressed into pellets for XRF analysis.