<p>Disclosed is an improved process wherein coal particles are beneficiated by froth flotation under coal froth flotation conditions to separate the desired coal particles from remaining unwanted ash and like gangue material. The improvement of the present invention comprises conducting the froth flotation in the presence of an effective proportion of a promoter which is at least C10 aliphatic carboxylic acid or an aliphatic ester thereof which is devoid of nitrogen atoms; the hydroxylated, oxidized, or alkoxylated derivative of said acid or ester promoters; and mixtures thereof.</p>