Rare earth elements are characterized by the high risk of their shortage resulting from limited resources. From this reason REE constitute a group of elements of special importance for the European Union. The aim of this study was to evaluate ashes from the burning of coal in fluidized bed boilers as an potential source of REY . Twelve samples of fly ash and bottom ash taken from power plants in Poland were analyzed. Tests have shown that despite some differences in chemical composition, the fly ash and bottom ash from fluidized beds could be classified as the calsialic, low acid type. It was found that fly ashes contained more REY than bottom ashes. Among REY , the light elements (LREY ) had the highest share in the total REY content in both fly ashes and bottom ashes. Heavy elements (HREY ) had the lowest content. The normalized curves plotted for fly ash samples within almost all of their entire range were positioned above the reference level and these curves were of the L-M or H-M type. The content of the individual REY in these samples was even twice as high as in UCC . The normalized curves plotted for bottom ash samples were classified as of L, L-M or H type. They were positioned on the reference level or above it. The content of the individual REY in these samples was the same or up to about 4 times lower than in UCC. It was found that the content of critical elements and of excessive elements in fly ash and bottom ash differs, which has an effect on the value of the outlook coefficient Coutl, and which is always higher in the case of fly ash than in the case of bottom ash. Nevertheless, the computed values of the outlook coefficient Coutl allow both fly ash and bottom ash from fluidized beds to be regarded as promising REY raw materials.

The S-7 borehole log from the Sumina area (USCB Poland) revealed the presence of three basaltic veins

originating from a basalt dyke. Coal interlayers in the rocks surrounding the basaltic veins have been coked to

form natural coke. Photometric measurements revealed that the optical properties of the studied natural coke

samples are characteristic of semi-graphite (Rmax > 9%). The natural coke matrix of all of the analyzed samples

has a biaxial negative optical character. Vitrinite in the examined natural coke samples is characterized by a

lower optical anisotropy than that of the natural matrix and it has a biaxial positive optical character. Vitrinite

in almost all samples taken at locations more distant from the intrusion has a biaxial positive optical character.

A reversal of the changes of the true maximum vitrinite reflectance and bireflectance with changing distance

from the second basaltic vein has been observed. The temperature regime that acted upon the dispersed organic

matter located in the immediate vicinity of the intrusion, estimated on the basis of the selected experimental

data, is suggested to be higher than 750 °C.