Abstract: The effects of minerals in coal on the emission of nitrogen and sulfur during coal combustion were experimentally investigated using thermogravimetric analyzer and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results show that the soluble minerals in coal, such as sulfate and carbonate, can enhance NO emission during coal combustion. When the minerals are removed from coal by HCl or HNO3, the emission of NO decreases and that of SO2 increases.