A laboratory scale selective flocculation process capable of recovering iron oxide from a sample of ultrafine (less than 10 mum) iron ore tailings containing kaolinite as the main gangue mineral has been developed. Experiments were carried out (i) to select the most appropriate flocculant from a large range of commercially available starches and polyacrylamides and, (ii) to optimise the many parameters that affect selectivity and recovery. Under optimum conditions, a feed containing 46.6% iron was upgraded to a concentrate with 57-58% iron at 65-75% recovery. Wheat starch was shown to be the most appropriate selective flocculant.