Abstract: The effect of magnetic treatment of sodium oleate solution on the flotation of ilmenite from titanaugite was studied. It is found that after magnetic treatment of sodium oleate， the recovery of titanaugite decreases from 75.0% to 60.6%， and the recovery of ilmenite decreases from 75.2% to 69.3%. The zeta potential of titanaugite shifts more positively than that of ilmenite. It is suggested that the selectivity of sodium oleate to ilmenite increases after magnetic treatment. The effects of magnetic treatment of sodium oleate on its electrical conductivity， surface tension and spectral properties are researched， and the mechanism of magnetic treatment is revealed. After magnetic treatment， the electrical conductivity and surface tension increase and the hydrogen bonds in the solution are weakened. Consequently， the oleate ions are released more， and increased and released oleate ions are selectively adsorbed on the surface of ilmenite. Hence， the floatability difference between ilmenite and titanaugite is enlarged.

Key words: magnetic treatment, sodium oleate solution, ilmenite flotation, floatability difference, mechanism study