Mineral sublimates from the Ruth Mullins fire in abandoned underground and surface mines in the high volatile A bituminous Middle Pennsylvanian Hazard No. 7 coalbed, Perry County, Kentucky, were examined by optical mineralogy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and high-resolution-transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). Optical examination revealed the presence of salammoniac and a fine, unidentified fibrous mineral. XRD also showed the presence of salammoniac, along with trace amounts of quartz, kaolinite, and, possibly, phengite. Both cubic and dendritic salammoniac forms were observed with HR-TEM. Gypsum, jarosite, with cubic pseudomorphs after pyrite, and Fe-minerals, including Cr-bearing hematite in association with jarosite, were observed with HR-TEM. Dehydration of jarosite can lead to the formation of less hydrous Fe-sulfates and hematite. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.