Herein, a novel method of ultrasonic treatment for selectively recovering ilmenite from titanaugite was investigated via systematic mineral flotation tests along with dissolution texts, microcalorimetry, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. Flotation tests indicate that ultrasonic treatment promotes the ilmenite floatability but depresses titanaugite floatability. When ultrasonic time and power are 5 min and 500 W, selectivity of ilmenite from titanaugite can be enhanced. Dissolution tests show that ultrasound can strengthen the dissolution of Ca and Mg but has little effect on Fe species. Microcalorimetric measurements confirm that ultrasonic-treated ilmenite is more prone to release heat than titanaugite. SEM images reveal that the surface roughness of the titanaugite is greater than that of the ilmenite, indicating that the particle collision of titanaugite is greater than ilmenite. XPS indicates that NaOL adsorption on ultrasonic-treated ilmenite surfaces is greater than that for titanaugite. (c) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.