Collector compositions and methods of using thereof

A mineral slurry comprising:

• (a) an ore comprising a mineral of interest;
• (b) a collector composition comprising (i) a refined tall oil;
• and (ii) a fatty acid;
• (c) a liquid;
• and
• wherein the refined tall oil comprises an ester content of less than 15% by weight, based on the weight of the refined tall oil, a polymeric acid content of at least 35% by weight, based on the weight of the refined tall oil,
• wherein the refined tall oil has an acid value of at least 90 mg KOH/g and an average molecular weight of at least 750 g/mol, and
• wherein the collector composition facilitates recovery of the mineral from the mineral slurry for a recovery rate of the mineral of at least 50%.

A method for the beneficiation of an ore in a froth floatation process, the method comprising:

• (a) providing a slurry comprising the ore dispersed in a liquid;
• (b) contacting the slurry with a collector composition comprising a refined tall oil wherein the refined tall oil comprise an ester content of less than 15% by weight, based on the weight of the refined tall oil, a polymeric acid content of at least 35% by weight, based on the weight of the refined tall oil, and wherein the refined tall oil has an acid value of at least 90 mg KOH/g and an average molecular weight of at least 750 g/mol;
• and
• (c) recovering a beneficiated ore;
• wherein the beneficiated ore is recovered at a rate of at least 50%.