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What happens to hydrophilic minerals in a flotation cell?

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mineral processing Schematic diagram of a flotation separation cell.

In the context of mineral processing, hydrophilic minerals are those that are attracted to water, or water-wetted.12

In a flotation cell, these minerals do not adhere to the air bubbles used to carry target particles to the surface. Instead, because they remain wetted by the water in the pulp, they stay suspended or sink within the mixture. Consequently, these hydrophilic particles are typically discharged from the bottom of the flotation cell as part of the tailings.12

While many minerals are naturally hydrophobic or can be made so through the use of chemical reagents to facilitate their recovery in the froth, unwanted minerals can also be specifically treated to ensure their surfaces remain hydrophilic, allowing them to be effectively separated from the desired concentrate.12