X-ray diffraction and Fe-57 Mossbauer hyperfine studies have been made to characterize the iron-bearing minerals present in some of the Indian coals. The minerals observed in a range of samples by Mossbauer study include siderite (FeCO3) and Fe3+, Fe2+-bearing silicate clay minerals such as illite. X-ray analysis also showed the diffraction lines of siderite and illite along with non-iron phases like quartz and calcium oxide. The effects of ashing (at 750-degrees-C) were also studied by Mossbauer spectroscopy.