Flotation chemistry features in bastnaesite flotation with potassium lauryl phosphate

•Excellent flotation of bastnaesite at low levels of lauryl phosphate addition.•Zeta potential suggests strong adsorption of lauryl phosphate at the bastnaesite surface.•Better bastnaesite flotation when compared to octyl hydroxamate.

Bastnaesite is a major mineral resource of importance in the production of rare earth materials. Present flotation practice uses a reagent schedule which typically includes fatty acid or hydroxamic acid as collector. In this research it was found that potassium lauryl phosphate is an appropriate collector for bastnaesite flotation. Results from contact angle and micro-flotation experiments for bastnaesite are reported using potassium lauryl phosphate as collector. Better bastnaesite flotation is achieved at a low level of lauryl phosphate addition when compared to the use of octyl hydroxamate as collector. Initial evaluation suggests that potassium lauryl phosphate should be a promising collector for bastnaesite flotation.