The processing of phosphate ores containing silicates and carbonates in the gangue is strictly necessary to increase phosphate rock production to meet the Brazilian demand for fertilizers. Aiming at the processing of these ores, this investigation addressed, via microfl otation and zeta potential determinations, the effect of sodium oleate, corn starch and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) on the surfaces of pure minerals from the Catalão/GO silicate-carbonate deposit. The results suggested the possibility of selective apatite concentration via direct fl otation at pH = 9, using sodium oleate as collector, in the absence of depressants; a route that would be industrially unfeasible. Both, CMC and starch, act as dolomite depressants, but the action is not selective, for apatite is also depressed by these reagents. Starch is a stronger apatite depressant than CMC.
Phosphate flotation; sodium oleate; silicate-carbonate ores
