Abstract: Method and apparatus for separation of bitumen from tar sands involving an electric flotation cell formed of a container in which is placed a charge of unseparated tar sand to a first level and which is then filled with water to a second level and electrodes positioned in the cell in relation to the tar sand such that on application of a voltage to the electrodes an electric current flows through the tar sand and water. It has been found that after application of the electrical energy to the tar sands agitation and then separation takes place with the bitumen being floated to the upper surface.