It was shown that thermophilic microorganisms can increase the rate and volume of pyrite leaching from pulverized, high-sulfur coal. This occurs not only because of the elevated temperature of operation possible, but also the apparent accelerated catalytic activity of thermophilic microorganisms as compared to autotropic microbes such as T. ferrooxidans. The ability of thermophilic microogranisms to successfully leach pyrite in coal as demonstrated in the study points toward an even greater potential for the develpment of a successful and economically viable large-scale desulfurization process involving biochemical leaching. (JMT)