It is a popular technique used for the separation of impurities from commercially important minerals as well as various other minerals from the froth surface.
The principle of this technique is the difference in the wetting ability of minerals, ore, and impurities, enabling the classification of hydrophobic and hydrophilic substances.
This method is used for Sulphide ores only.
Procedure:
Suspending the crushed ore in water and passing air through it.
Addition of pine oil to the mixture to separate ore from gangue particles.
The air bubbles attached to the wet particles act as froth and float at the top due to being lightweight.
Skimming and separating the froth from the gangue.
