Abstract: Based on the practice of operating coal preparation plants under trusteeship system, an analysis is made of the 4 different operating modes commonly applied in China—conventional mandate mode, EPC + operation mode, joint-venture mode and specialized service business mode, along with an introduction to the special features of each mode and the conditions to which each mode can be adapted. The study made in the paper provides a valuable reference for the coal preparation sectors to select the rational trusteeship mode according to specific plant conditions.