This study aims to establish the appropriate research methodologies and experimental strategies to characterise fine mineral matter with size <5 microns in Collie coal. Firstly, the possible occurrence and associations of fine mineral matter in coal were identified. They are fine included discrete minerals originally present in coal; organically-bound mineral matter; fine excluded minerals liberated from fine included discrete minerals originally present in coal; and fine excluded minerals resulting from large excluded minerals fragmentation. Potential available techniques for the characterisation of mineral matter in coal were then reviewed and discussed in terms of its capability, advantages, disadvantages and applicability, particularly its suitability for characterisation of fine mineral matter in coal. Among the analytical tools reviewed, CCSEM is found to be an ideal tool for characterising fine particles of size between 0.5-5 microns. A systematic strategy had been proposed and detailed for fine mineral matter characterisation in coal. It is concluded that a combination of sample preparation techniques and analytical tools is required for characterisation of fine mineral matter in coal.