The disclosure is directed to a sulfidizing agent obtainable by mixing M.sub.yS.sub.x and ZSH in a weight ratio of from about 90:10 to about 10:90, wherein M is chosen from Li.sup.+, Na.sup.+, K.sup.+, Rb.sup.+, Cs.sup.+, NH.sub.4.sup.+, Mg.sup.2+ and Ca.sup.2+, y is about 1 or about 2, x is from about 1.1 to about 5, and Z is independently chosen from Li.sup.+, Na.sup.+, K.sup.+, Rb.sup.+, Cs.sup.+ and NH.sub.4.sup.+, and a process for using the sulfidizing agent in the recovery of one or more metal ores and/or polymetallic minerals from gangue.

An enhanced flotation method of lepidolite ore based on high-entropy collection is provided for mineral processing. Concerning problems of conventional lepidolite collectors, such as low collection ability, poor selectivity, and large consumption, based on thermodynamic theory of complex multiphase solid-liquid systems, by adjusting and controlling the adsorption equilibrium constant of collector(s) on a surface of lepidolite and gangue minerals and entropy change during adsorption process, a high-entropy collector suitable for efficient separation of lepidolite is developed. Without changing conventional flotation procedures, enhanced flotation of lepidolite could be achieved only by adding sodium carbonate as a modifying agent with a low amount of the high-entropy collector.

An enhanced flotation method of lepidolite ore based on high-entropy collection is provided for mineral processing. Concerning problems of conventional lepidolite collectors, such as low collection ability, poor selectivity, and large consumption, based on thermodynamic theory of complex multiphase solid-liquid systems, by adjusting and controlling the adsorption equilibrium constant of collector(s) on a surface of lepidolite and gangue minerals and entropy change during adsorption process, a high-entropy collector suitable for efficient separation of lepidolite is developed. Without changing conventional flotation procedures, enhanced flotation of lepidolite could be achieved only by adding sodium carbonate as a modifying agent with a low amount of the high-entropy collector.

The invention is related to a collector composition for the beneficiation of phosphate ores, particularly those with high content of carbonate impurities. The collector may be a combination of chemicals, comprising: (1) any kind of fatty acids, e.g., conventional fatty acid, saponified fatty acid, or modified fatty acid; (2) chemicals with sulfonate or sulfate groups, such as dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DDBSA) or its salt, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), sodium lauryl sulfate (SIS), sodium coco sulfate (SCS), etc.; (3) phosphorous-bearing inorganic acids or salts, such as sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), sodium hexametaphosphate (SFMP), trisodium phosphate (TSP), Tetrasodiumpyrophosphate (TSPP), etc.; (4) alkoxylated alcohols, preferably ethoxylated C8-C24 linear or branched fatty alcohols with a degree of ethoxylation higher than five; and (5) modifier compositions selected from one or more of the modifier agents such as insoluble oils, silicones, fatty alcohols, esters, glycols, etc.

The invention is related to a collector composition for the beneficiation of phosphate ores, particularly those with high content of carbonate impurities. The collector may be a combination of chemicals, comprising: (1) any kind of fatty acids, e.g., conventional fatty acid, saponified fatty acid, or modified fatty acid; (2) chemicals with sulfonate or sulfate groups, such as dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DDBSA) or its salt, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), sodium lauryl sulfate (SIS), sodium coco sulfate (SCS), etc.; (3) phosphorous-bearing inorganic acids or salts, such as sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), sodium hexametaphosphate (SFMP), trisodium phosphate (TSP), Tetrasodiumpyrophosphate (TSPP), etc.; (4) alkoxylated alcohols, preferably ethoxylated C8-C24 linear or branched fatty alcohols with a degree of ethoxylation higher than five; and (5) modifier compositions selected from one or more of the modifier agents such as insoluble oils, silicones, fatty alcohols, esters, glycols, etc.