Abstract: A process for separating bitumen from tar sands, which comprises: a) agitating a mixture of tar sand with substantially coarse clean sand at ambient or below ambient temperature in the presence of water, so as to mechanically shear bitumen and enhance the detachment of bitumen particles from mineral matter in said tar sand, b) eluting the detached bitumen and fine mineral matter from the coarse sand by an upward flow of water while stirring gently, c) returning the coarse sand to step a) for reuse, and d) subjecting the eluted bitumen and fine mineral matter to froth flotation to separate the bitumen from said fine mineral matter, wherein the flotation is effected without using any reagents.