Abstract:There are many minerals and elements in coal-bearing rock series. It is generally called associated mineral resources. But syngenetic mineral resources and associated mineral resources in coal are different. It mainly reflected in mineralization process, occurrence forms and mining forms in late production period. So far, the concept of syngenetic mineral resources and associated mineral resources are not clear. It needs to be further distinguished. In this paper, through detailed analysis on characteristics of syngenetic mineral resources and associated mineral resources, according to the occurrence, position and relationship with the coal minerals, it is regarded that the associated minerals of coal include bed methane, coal gas, gallium, uranium, germanium, vanadium, etc, while the syngenetic minerals include shale gas and others. Oil shale, clay and kaolin are not only associated minerals, but also syngenetic minerals. On these basis, the scheme for distinguishing syngenetic or associated minerals of coal has been put forward. It has important guiding significance for the coal resources exploration and development.