U.S. Borax, Inc.

Christopher H Barwise

John M Simon

Particles of a calcium borate mineral, such as colemanite or ulexite, are recovered from an ore by a froth flotation process using a dialkyl sulfosuccinate as collector. Suitable dialkyl sulfosuccinates include sodium or ammonium dinonyl sulfosuccinate, sodium or ammonium di-isodecyl sulfosuccinate, and sodium or ammonium dialauryl sulfosuccinate. The dialkyl sulfosuccinates may be used as aqueous solutions or as solutions in solvents consisting of water and methylated spirit, a dihydric alcohol such as ethylene glycol or hexylene glycol or a monohydric alcohol containing more than 5 carbons. Preferred collectors are the dinonyl sulfosuccinate salts, such as a compound of the formula, ##STR1## wherein X.sup.+ is a counterion.

Growing community of inventors

Hampshire, United Kingdom

Christopher H Barwise