Abstract: Compositions and methods for separating bituminous constituents from bituminum-bearing sands, commonly known as "tar sands" in which the composition comprises the product resulting from the addition of ammonium hydroxide with an aqueous solution of tannic acid the method comprising the efficient intermixing, preferably by agitation, of the said tar sands with said composition until the desired separation of the sand from the bituminous fraction is achieved, the rate of separation being increased by increasing the temperature of the composition, and separating the bituminous fraction from said composition.