Abstract Data on the use in the USSR of fuel-containing industrial wastes in the production of artificial porous aggregates for lightweight concrete are presented. The main peculiarities of the production technology of artificial porous aggregates from thermal power plant ashes, by-products of mining, and concentration of coal are presented. Formation processes of the porous structure's of aggregates during production by agglomeration method is discussed. Data on properties of porous aggregates and lightweight concrete are presented.