Carrier particle for the froth flotation of fine ores

This invention is a froth flotation process for beneficiating finely sized mineral matter from a finely sized mineral ore pulp comprising floating the finely sized mineral ore pulp in a frothing aqueous medium comprising a collector and a carrier particle in an effective amount for beneficiating the finely sized mineral matter by flotation, wherein the carrier particles are adapted for selectively floating the finely sized mineral matter. The carrier particles of this invention should have a particle size and a density which are suitable for selectively beneficiating the finely sized mineral ore particles by froth flotation and have a surface treated with a condensation product, or acid derivative of a condensation product, of an alkanolamine with a fatty acid, a fatty acid ester, a dibasic fatty acid or a tribasic fatty acid, in a sufficient amount to render the carrier particle sufficiently hydrophobic to float in the frothing aqueous medium.