In this work, selective surface magnetization technology was employed to separate pentlandite from serpentine by adding fine magnetite coating on pentlandite surfaces, which was different from the conventional flotation. EDLVO (Extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek) theory calculations indicate that under a weak external magnetic field of 4.77 kA m(-1). Interactions between magnetite and pentlandite were obviously stronger than that between magnetite and serpentine. Therefore, fine magnetite fractions selectively adhered to pentlandite surfaces and enhanced its surfaces' magnetism. The above predication was well confirmed by the magnetic coating and magnetic separation tests with adding 3% magnetite fines, at a magnetic field intensity of 200 kA m(-1). SEM-EDS analyses show that magnetite particles were preferentially adsorbed onto pentiandite instead of serpentine. VSM (vibrating sample magnetometer) measurements further confirm that the magnetism of magnetic products (pentlandite) was strongly enhanced. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.