Separation system and method

A method of separating coal from spoil/reject heaps containing coal, the method comprising:

• a primary separation of:
• (i) adding a portion from the spoil/reject heap containing coal to a liquid medium,
• (ii) adjusting the specific gravity of the liquid medium carrying the portion from the spoil/reject heap containing coal to a first specific gravity by adding water and mineral dirt;
• (iii) causing the liquid medium carrying the portion from the spoil/reject heap containing coal at the first specific gravity to undergo primary separation;
• and
• a secondary separation of:
• (iv) adjusting the specific gravity of the liquid medium carrying the portion from the spoil/reject heap containing coal from the first separator to a second specific gravity by adding water and mineral dirt in which the second specific gravity is lower than the first specific gravity;
• and
• (v) causing the liquid medium carrying the portion from the spoil/reject heap containing coal at the second specific gravity to then undergo secondary separation thereby producing a clean coal product having at least 95% purity, wherein:
• the first specific gravity is between about 1.25 to 1.35, and
• the second specific gravity is between 1.15 to 1.249.