Biological degradation of low-rank coals

A method for producing low-rank coal aerobic digestion products, a consortium of low-rank coal-degrading microbes, or both low-rank coal aerobic digestion products and a consortium of low-rank coal-degrading microbes, the method comprising:

• a) combining a low-rank coal substrate, water, a rock phosphate, and yeast to form an aqueous mixture;
• b) incubating the aqueous mixture;
• and
• c) collecting a fraction of the aqueous mixture comprising the aerobic digestion products, the consortium of low-rank coal-degrading microbes, or both the aerobic digestion products and the consortium of low-rank coal-degrading microbes.