Hydroxamate composition and method for froth flotation

A method of froth flotation of minerals from ore comprising:

• (i) forming an aqueous slurry of the ore;
• (ii) optionally adjusting the pH of the slurry;
• (iii) adding to the slurry an aqueous composition of fatty hydroxamate wherein the pH of the said aqueous fatty hydroxamate composition is at least 11 and said aqueous fatty hydroxamate composition is essentially free of water insoluble solvents;
• (iv) agitating the slurry to mix and condition the fatty hydroxamate and ore slurry;
• (v) adding a frothing agent to the slurry;
• (vi) agitating the slurry to form a froth containing floated minerals;
• and
• (vii) removing the froth and collecting the floated minerals in the presence of the hydroxamate.

A method of collecting mineral values from an aqueous ore slurry by froth flotation, the method comprising:

• forming an aqueous fatty hydroxamate composition by providing an aqueous hydroxylamine free base and combining the hydroxylamine free base with fatty acid ester in the presence of alkali to form a fatty hydroxamate;
• adding further alkali to the fatty hydroxamate to provide an aqueous mixture of fatty hydroxamate of pH of at least 11 and said aqueous fatty hydroxamate composition is essentially free of water insoluble solvents;
• and
• adding said aqueous fatty hydroxamate composition of pH of at least 11 to the aqueous ore slurry forming a foam in the ore slurry and removing the froth and associated mineral values.