ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with the fundamentals of froth flotation, covering both theoretical and practical aspects, followed by a description of the reagents and instruments involved in the process. Flotation is aided by a suite of reagents and selective surface modification agents to ensure that the targeted particles are rendered hydrophobic, while maintaining a hydrophilic surface on the unwanted gangue. To maintain a high purity concentrate of the desired commodity, flotation reagents are added to ensure that the valuable minerals display hydrophobic properties and the gangue minerals either remain hydrophilic or are rendered hydrophilic. The selection of an appropriate collector is a key consideration in flotation practice, based on the desired product and the type of gangue minerals present in the ore. Depressants hamper the flotation of a targeted mineral, by rendering the surface hydrophilic or by blocking collector attachment to the surface.
