Is a soft waxy, black or brown, shiny, vitreous mineraloid that is easily soluble in alkaline solutions. It is an oxidation product of lignite, associated with near-surface mining. It is a rich source of humic acid (up to 90%) and is used as a soil conditioner, as a stabilizer for ion-exchange re sins in water treatment in the remediation of polluted environments and as a drilling additive.

It is used to condition soils either by applying it directly to the land, or by providing a source of humic acid or potassium humate for application.