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In this study, the effect of MnCl2 on scheelite flotation with sodium oleate (NaOL) as a collector and sodium silicate as a depressant was assessed by a combination of flotation experiments, Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and solution chemistry. The flotation experiments confirmed that the addition of MnCl2 before sodium silicate showed an adverse effect on flotation and the recovery of scheelite gradually decreased as the amount of MnCl2 was increased. When MnCl2 was added afte r sodium silicate, the recovery of scheelite gradually increased with an increase in the amount of MnCl2. The results of FTIR, XPS, and solution chemistry indicated that MnCl2 acted on the surface of scheelite in the form of manganese ions. When MnCl2 was added before sodium silicate, manganese ions adsorbed on the surface of scheelite reacted with sodium silicate to form a hydrophilic silicate, which covers the surface of scheelite and blocks the adsorption of NaOL. However, when MnCl2 was added after sodium silicate, manganese ions are continued to be adsorbed on the surface of scheelite, which increases the cations on the surface of scheelite, and hence the condition becomes conducive for the interaction between scheelite and NaOL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]