The potential application of different cation collectors in the flotation concentration of mica, feldspar and quartz sand has been investigated. Raw materials (Bujanovac and Ub) from two localities in Serbia were used. The results showed that for flotation of feldspars, Aero 3030C performed better than Flotigam DAT. Aero 3030C was more selective, and with its application a higher mass recovery of feldspar was obtained. In particular, the mass recovery of feldspar was 19.58% when Aero 3030C was applied and 7.58% when Flotigam DAT was used. However, the chemical compositions of the feldspar concentrates were not significantly different no matter which of these reagents was used. For the flotation of impurities from quartz sand, Aero 3030C was better than a combination of R 825 and Armak C. When Aero 3030C was used, a higher quality of quartz sand concentrate was obtained than when a combination of these collectors was applied. The mass recovery of quartz sand was almost the same: 64.47% when Aero 3030C was used and 61.72% when a combination of Aero 825 and Armac C was used. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.