The handleability monitor has been specifically designed to provide a simple, rapid and on-site assessment of the whole or part consignment of a coal blend in its ‘ as-prepared’ or ‘ as-received’ condition. Evaluation has been carried out at a number of user' s coal-handling plants, on both metallurgical and power station coals from a variety of sources world-wide (Australia, South Africa, United Kingdom and USA). The results are used to predict which coals could routinely pass through a handling plant at line capacity, without causing blockage or delay, and have also been correlated with the operator' s perception of the coal' s handling characteristics and problems caused (blockages in chutes, hoppers, etc.) on the coal handling plant.