Abstract: There are many kinds of trace elements in coal.The paper analyzed the modes of occurrence and distribution regularity of trace elements, and found that their modes of occurrence are the result of many factors, which has comlex relations with coal types, coal ranks, coal macerals, the particle size and so on.Usually the physical separations have certain removal effect on most trace elements, the removal and enrichment regularity of trace elements in various products after separation a re different.According to the problems existing in the present coal separations, the author put forward that some aspects should be strengthened and several problems should be solved.