Concentrations of As, B, Ba, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, Se, Sr and other microelements were determined for channel samples collected from main active mines in southern Jilin Province. Microelements in coals of Taiyuan Formation are different from those of Shanxi Formation, which is attributed to different coal-forming environments. As, B, Hg, Pb, Se and Zn concentrations in Taiyuan Formation are obviously higher than those in Shanxi Formation, while the concentrations of Ba, Cr, Cu, Mn and V are lower in Taiyuan Formation. Analy-(tical) results show that As, B, Hg, Pb and Se concentrations of coals in southern Jilin Province are markedly higher than their average values of the earth crust, Co and Cd concentrations of coals are close to their earth crust average values, and other microelements are rare. Compared with their average values in other areas, the concentrations of As, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Se, V and Zn are higher in southern Jilin Province, and B, Mn and Sr concentrations are lower. The analyses and modes of occurrence of microelements show that such harmful elements as As, Cu, Hg, Pb and Se are correlated with Fe, suggesting that pyrite and sulfide in coals are carriers of many harmful microelements.